The Declaration of Independence in Venezuela

In order to understand the present government, we need to learn about the history of Venezuela. According to a book I read a long time ago by Carlos Garcia Arrieche called An Introduction To Bolivar (1976), Bolivar returned to Caracas in December of 1810. Later that month, he left Caracas to meet Miranda while areas of the country declared their loyalty to Spain. Simon Bolivar and Miranda joined the Patriotic Society which was started as a society set up by the Supreme Junta to stimulate the economies controlled by the opposition-those who wanted total independence from Spain and later became the force behind Independence.

As the Junta dissolves a republic emerges with Cristobal Mendoza as its president making him the first president of the Republic of Venezuela. In the meantime, Bolivar, Miranda and many others pressure congress into listening to them and not wait any longer for Spain's decision regarding its colony. In Carlos Garcia Arrieche's book, it is written that Bolivar took the stage and delivered his first political speech urging congress to stop waiting for Spain's indecision on whether to sell the slaves to Bonaparte before considering the colonial requests. It is also said that Bolivar posed the famous question "Is it not enough three hundred years of peace?("¿Trescientos años de calma, no bastan?"). Due to the pressure by the Patriotic Society, the congress decreed on July 5th the Independence of Venezuela. Although, it is said that the signing took place that evening but the actual document was finished few days later.

This was just the beginning of many battles in one of many fronts for Bolivar. In the personal front, Bolivar started by freeing his slaves. This action was followed by other prominent families. Then, he learnt of his brother's death by drowning in a shipwreck and later his family's disagreement with his politics and actions.

On July 14th 1811, Miranda returns from his expeditions with what became the tricolor flag that represents Venezuela today.

When the news of the declaration of Independence reached Spain, the Royalists in Spain and Venezuela began the counter-revolution. The battle for Independence had just begun!