Battle of San Pedro Sula

The Battle of San Pedro Sula (Spanish: Batalla de San Pedro Sula) was a military engagement that took place from February 18 to March 9, 2023. It was one of the major battles of the early stages of the Mejican invasion of Central America, as part of the Omoa Bay Offensive. With a population of over 800,000 people, San Pedro Sula was the fourth-largest city within the Central American Republic, and its capture was a significant objective for the Mejican forces.

The battle began with Mejican forces surrounding San Pedro Sula from the northeast and southeast, and initiating a relentless bombardment of the city's defensive positions. Central American forces put up resistance, utilizing urban warfare tactics and fortifying key locations throughout the city. The battle quickly devolved into intense street-to-street fighting, with both sides engaging in close-quarters combat. Mejican forces, supported by heavy artillery, airstrikes, and armored vehicles, gradually advanced through the city, systematically clearing out resistance pockets and neutralizing key defensive positions.

Surrounded entirely by the Merendón mountains to the west and having cut access south from their positions in El Progreso, Mejican forces managed to isolate San Pedro Sula and cut off any potential reinforcements or supplies for the Central American forces. The mountainous terrain made it challenging for Central American forces to launch a successful counteroffensive or break the Mejican encirclement. Despite this chokehold, Mejico permitted the evacuation of civilians under a "gentleman's agreement" negotiated between the two sides, with more than 600,000 citizens fleeing the city. Mayor Joaquín Villavicencio signed the surrender of the city on March 9, 2023, marking a significant victory for the Mejican forces in their campaign.

The battle was characterized by the intensive use of drone warfare, one of the world's first large-scale urban conflicts where drones were extensively employed. Mejican forces utilized UAVs armed with missiles and precision-guided munitions to strike entrenched Central American positions. The drones, equipped with advanced surveillance systems, also provided real-time intelligence for Mejican commanders, enabling them to adapt their strategies and tactics accordingly.