González Archipelago Dispute
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| González Archipelago Dispute | |||||||||
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 The situation of the conflict as of 2018: González Isles in green. Pequeña Military Complex in light green. Mainland Torisakia in grey. | |||||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Narsora |
 Torisakia | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
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President César Álvaro (1969-72) President Raúl Herrera (1972-80) President Martín Fernández (1980-84) President Francisco Silva (1985-90) President Adrián Gómez (1990-02) President Timothy Giles (2003-11) President Manuel Amatore (2011-13) President Adelina Aylen (2013-14) President Sandalio Joaquín Espina (2014-18) President María Castellano (2018-) |
President Robert Krupin (1969-1971) President Joseph Hartford (1971-75) President George Blomgren (1976-80) President Rowan Boehler (1980-88) President Micheal Dryden (1988-92) President David Amundsen (1992-96) President Alexander Korhonen (1996-04) President Thomas Bouchard (2004-08 President Steven Douglas (2008-2012) President Johnston Crandall (2012-2014) President Alissa Beaulieu (2014-2015) President Rosalind Dupond (2015-16) President Douglas McDowell (2016-) | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
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Torisakian Armed Forces
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| Strength | |||||||||
| 65,200 (total of course of conflict) | 255,000 (total of course of conflict) | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| 253 Killed, 878 Wounded | 228 Killed, 734 Wounded | ||||||||
| 680+ Civilians Killed, 1,120+ Wounded | |||||||||
The González Archipelago Dispute was a diplomatic and armed conflict between the Republic of Narsora and the Democracy of Torisakia over the González Isles, a chain of islands off the North-Western coast of Torisakia. While a mostly diplomatic dispute between the two countries, major armed conflicts have erupted on two occasions in 2009 and 2014.
Background
The archipelago was put under Narsoran control after it's borders were drawn in 1957, as an overseas territory. In 1960 after gaining full sovereignty as a country the islands permanently became a part of the new Republic Of Narsora. As an overseas territory, the islands attracted quite a large number of immigrants whom were leaving oppressive governments in neighboring regions. After formation of the country's armed forces in late-1960, a military complex was set up on the island of Pequeña to be used as a strategic post to deter communist threats that were present at the time. Beginning in mid-1969, the government of the then Libertarian Republic of Torisakia laid claims to the islands stating that as the territory was in their maritime border it had been "stolen" from them. They demanded the islands be returned to their control, a demand which the narsoran government immediately declined. The government of torisakia stated it would reclaim the area by force if necessary, which led to an annexation by Torisakian security forces in 1973. Since then tensions have flared between the countries, leading to two large conflicts in 2009 and 2014 and several smaller skirmishes.
Incidents
Annexation
At approximately 0800 hrs On July 10, 1973, a force of around 55,000 Torisakian troops landed on the main beach of Gran Tierra Island to take the capital of Pequeña. Simultaneously, troops also attempted to take the military complex on Máriarcis Island, but were successfully repelled. As most of the manpower was used to protect the complex, only 1,200 men were left to save the capital. After holding out for nine days, narsoran personnel surrendered to toriskian forces. After annexation, the torisakian government instituted an illegal mass naturalization on the civilian population of the islands.
2009 Conflict
On December 9th, 2009, Narsoran forces launched Operación Ciclón (Operation Cyclone), in an attempt to retake the territory by force. The action proved to be disastrous, leading to around 100 Narsoran personnel killed, the military unable to capture any major cities or settlements and the conflict lasting only a week. Narsoran forces pushed no more than 60 miles into the island, where they were stopped at the city of Teñal. This conflict further degraded relations between the two countries and lead to the closure of the embassies of both countries.
Consequences of the Conflict
Political
As a result of the conflict, relations between the two countries have continued to deteriorate and were, as of November 2014, all but non-existent. In August 2015, then president Sandalio Joaquín Espina proposed that Torisakia hold a Referendum to allow the citizens of González Isle to vote on whether to become independent, remain part of the current government or become part of Narsora. This proposal was immediately rejected. As of 2016 tensions relaxed greatly albeit slowly, during Sandalio Joaquín Espina and Douglas McDowell's terms as the presidents of their respective countries.
Financial
Both countries have spent tremendous amounts of money on the conflict; as of 2017 the Narsoran government had spent an estimated $110.5 Billion on the conflict, while the Torisakian government spent an estimated $322.2 Billion. The conflict is one of many factors believed to have led to the decline of the narsoran economy from 2008 to 2013.
Public Opinion
The attitude of most of the Narsoran public is that the islands are narsoran territory, although according to a poll taken at the end of 2014, only 15% of the population supported a possible land invasion of the islands. As many claim that while the islands should be returned to their country, any invasion would be too great a risk due to the likely high number of casualties and the military superiority of the Toriskia. As well, many citizens on both sides believe the conflict is a pointless fight over islands that have no particular importance. The attitude of the Torisakian population is much the same and there is a strong "Anti-Narsoran and "Anti-Torisakian" sentiment in both countries respectively. In a poll taken in July 2016, 83% of Narsorans wanted an end to the conflict.
Erling Armistice
On December 10th 2018, in González Isle City both parties formally agreed to end armed hostilities. They were represented by General Diego Casales and General James Pekkanen respectively, and both foreign ambassadors; Julián Marchetti and Issac Köhler respectively. As of 2019, armed patrols of the border zone have ceased, and there have been no major confrontations since 2015.