It followed the Battle of Corozal on 21 June 1900, where the liberal forces won an important victory over the Conservative army under General Carlos Albán, who had no choice but to retreat to the city of Panama.

After the victory, the liberal army, under General Emiliano Herrera, aimed to capture the remaining bastion of conservative forces in the isthmus.

Instead of making a final attack, Herrera initially offered his surrender to Albán, who refused.

The attack was extremely messy, coupled with the disadvantage of fighting against a well-prepared enemy, the result could be little more than a slaughter.

On 25 July, Belisario Porras made arrangements for a new attack on the city, but reconsidered his position to announce the arrival of General Campo Serrano and 1,250 men to reinforce the conservative position in the city, and the arrival of the vessel Boyaca.