The Battle of Pichincha occurred on the slopes of the Pichincha volcano, just outside the city of Quito, Ecuador. Antonio José de Sucre, a key figure in the independence movement across South America and a close ally of Simón Bolívar, commanded the forces of Gran Colombia against the Spanish royalists led by General Melchor Aymerich. Sucre's forces numbered approximately 3,000 men, composed of Venezuelan, Colombian, and local troops. The Spanish forces were around 1,800 soldiers strong but were fortified by their strategic positions in the mountainous terrain.

Prior to the battle, the forces of Gran Colombia had been gradually advancing towards Quito. With mounting pressure and a series of victories leading to the confrontation at Pichincha, Sucre devised a plan to attack despite the challenging landscape and the stronghold of the Spanish troops. The battle commenced early in the morning with a surprise assault, which took the Spanish forces off guard. Heavy fighting ensued, but the steadfast determination and superior tactics of Sucre’s troops led them to a historic victory, with the Spanish forces eventually being forced to retreat.

The aftermath of the battle was momentous; it marked the effective end of Spanish colonial rule in present-day Ecuador and led to the declaration of Quito as part of Gran Colombia. This victory not only enhanced Sucre's reputation as a military leader but also empowered the independence movements throughout South America, cascading into further battles against colonial authority across the continent. Sucre’s successful leadership would eventually pave the way for him to become one of the founding figures of Ecuadorian independence.