aug 20, 1861 - British Puerto Bolívar

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In 1857, the Ecuadoran government attempted and failed to settle the Galápagos islands, which put Ecuador in a financial crisis. In 1859, Ecuador proposed leasing Puerto Bolívar as well as the islands to the British as a form of repaying the debt they had incurred during the wars of independence.

While initially hesitant, desires to match increasing French influence in South and Central America led them to accept the offer in 1861, signing a rental contract to lease the Puerto Bolívar for 99 years in exchange for 6 million pounds, but not the Galápagos islands.

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