Background
In 1811 he was imprisoned for participating in a conspiracy to secure the independence of El Salvador, and when a second attempt in 1814 failed, he was again imprisoned for five years.
At the refusal of El Salvador in 1821 to follow the lead of Guatemala and submit to annexation by Mexico, Arce was named head of the army, and in two successful battles defeated the Guatemalan generals NicolásNicolas Avos Padilla and Manuel de ArzúArzu but was himself later defeated by the Mexican general Vicente FilísolaFilisola and was forced into exile in the United States.
In 1824 he returned to Guatemala, restored order in Nicaragua after a civil uprising.
