Claim: During the Chilean Civil War, the American government supported the forces of President Jose Manuel Balmaceda, causing troubled relations between the United States and the victorious congressionalist side; but just before the end of the Chilean Civil War, the United States sent USS Charleston to force the Chilean congressional cargo ship Itata to return to San Diego.
Evidence: During the Chilean Civil War the American government supported the forces of President Jose Manuel Balmaceda and enforced a ban on exports for the congressional forces that was supported partially by the United Kingdom. These and another circumstances troubled relations between the United States and the victorious congressionalist side, who in 1891 defeated the presidential forces and were then in power in Chile. Just before the end of the Chilean Civil War the United States sent a group of ships including USS Charleston to force the Chilean congressional cargo ship Itata, that illegally loaded arms in San Diego for the congressional forces, to return to San Diego.