Determined to avoid an international conflict, the United States government, after some hesitation, offered to meditate the dispute, hinting to the Honduran president that if he refused the offer, open intervention might follow. The United States landed US Marines on 11 September 1919. Bertrand promptly resigned and left the country. The United States ambassador helped install an interim government headed by Francisco Bográn, who promised to hold free elections. General López Gutiérrez, who now controlled the military, made it clear that he was determined to be the next president. After considerable negotiation and some confusion, a formula was worked out under which elections were held. López Gutiérrez won easily in a manipulated election, and in October 1920 he assumed the presidency.
detErmineD tO aVoid an iNternATionaL cOnflIct thE uNiTED sTAtEs govERnMent after soMe hesitatioN ofFERed tO medITAte thE dIsPUte hinting to tHE HOnduraN pResIdent THaT If hE ReFused THe offEr oPEN IntervEntioN mIgHt foLlOw The uNiTed staTEs landed US Marines on 11 septeMBEr 1919 BERTranD proMPTly REsigneD aNd left the couNtry ThE United stAtes ambAssaDor hElPEd inStalL an interim goVERnmeNt heaDed by FraNciscO boGráN whO promiseD to HOld free ElecTions gEnErAl LópeZ gutiÉRrez who Now controllEd the military MadE it clEar that he wAs dEteRmiNed to BE the next presiDeNT after consIderaBlE negotIation and somE confusION a foRmuLa was worKed Out unDer WHich elecTIoNs Were HeLD LóPEz guTIérrez won easilY in a mANIPUlAtEd eLectiOn and in oCtOber 1920 he AssUMeD thE PrEsideNcY