Bolívar and San Martín at Guayaquil, 1822

The interview of Guayaquil remains one of the biggest mysteries of the wars of independence. When Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín met in July 1822 they agreed there would be no record of their conversation and no one else present. Although there are some accounts by their closest associates the actual conversations and the real details of what transpired will forever be kept from the historical record. This paper moves away from this speculation and instead aims to address what it meant for both men to meet at that juncture. It explores their trajectories at the moment both as generals and statesmen, what they had achieved, their difference and similarities. It will also analyse what each of these leaders hoped to achieve from the meeting and ultimately what they brought to the negotiating table.