The History of the Guano Wars

During the Napoleonic Wars the French took over Spain. This eventually led to most of Spain's Latin American possessions gaining independence. Two of the new countries that were formed were La Cucaracha and Buena Vista. Neither country had much in the way of natural resources until the discovery of rich deposits of guano in a region on the border of both countries. Since the components of guano could be used to manufacture gunpowder, both sides claimed the region for themselves. This has led to a series of wars for control of the region that has lasted to the present day. Later geologists have also found a vast reserve of oil underneath the guano fields, which has only aggravated the situation. At various times the United States and other European countries have supported one side or the other in order to gain access to the resources of the region. Just after the end of the Second World War, agents from Buena Vista posing as scrap metal dealers purchased a large amount of German war material. La Cucaracha responded by contacting the Soviet Union and received a number of Russian armored vehicles and weapons. During the cold war period and the present the Peoples Republic of La Cucaracha received significant support from the Soviet Union including many of its latest tanks and armored fighting vehicles. To counter this the Democratic Confederation of Buena Vista was given aid by many of the western countries. Buena Vista's army now has units equipped with a mix of German, French, British, and American equipment. La Cucaracha's army is in not much better logistical condition as the country has all kinds of Soviet equipment from obsolete T54/5 tanks up to modern T90's. Almost all the fighting has taken place in areas other than the guano fields as neither country wanted to damage their major source of income. The fighting has never resulted in any lasting advantage for either side. If one country suffered a setback, it would soon receive additional arms and aid and be able to redress the balance.