[2][3] France did not recognize the Oyapock river as the border between French Guiana and the Brazilian province of Amapá, also known as "Brazilian Guyana", claiming for itself part of the territory of the province to the south of the river; a region occupied by French colonists.

However, the Peace of Utrecht, signed in 1713 between France and Portugal, established the Oyapock as the border between both kingdoms in South America.

This event marked Captain Charles-Louis Lunier leading French troops in a invasion of Brazilian territory.

[4][5][6] French troops advanced to the Araguari River, occupying approximately 260,000 km2 (100,000 sq mi) of Brazilian territory.

The invasion was repelled by the honorary general of the Brazilian Army Francisco Xavier da Veiga Cabral.