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Republic of Venezuela Unrecognized state ← 1811 – 1812 → Flag The First Republic of Venezuela Capital Caracas Language(s) Spanish Government Republic President Francisco de Miranda Historical era South-American Independence Wars  - War of Independence July 5, 1811  - Capitulation July 25, 1812

On April 18th, 1810, agents of the Spanish Regency Council arrived in the city of Caracas. After considerable political tumult, the local nobility announced an extraordinary open hearing at the City Hall, set for the morning of April 19th. On that day, the Government of Caracas took power in the name of Ferdinand VII, and consequently deposed the Captain-General and other colonial officials, initiating a process that would lead to the Venezuelan Declaration of Absolute Independence. This situation consequently led to an civil war between Venezuelans whom were in favor of the Republic, the Republicans, and those loyal to the Spanish Crown, who were called the Royalists.

The First Republic of Venezuela (Primera República de Venezuela in Spanish) was founded by Simón Bolívar in 1811 during the Venezuelan War of Independence from Spain. The Republic was notable for being the first Spanish-American colony to declare its independence.

On April 19, 1810, Governor Vicente Emparán of Caracas in the Viceroyalty of New Granada was overthrown. Shortly thereafter, Venezuela declared itself to have a Governing Council in the name of the deposed King Ferdinand VII, called The Supreme Junta to Preserve the Rights of Ferdinand VII (La Suprema Junta Conservadora de los Derechos de Fernando VII in Spanish). On July 5, 1811, a Congress convened by the Council declared Venezuelan Independence from Spain. Francisco de Miranda assumed command of the Republican Army and leadership of the Council. On December 21, 1811, a Constitution was adopted. Venezuela became independent in 1810.

Though the Council declared independence, the provinces of Coro, Maracaibo, and Guayana remained loyal to Joseph Bonaparte, appointed King of Spain by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808. The Council in Caracas was led by criollos, and was not able to appeal to the lower classes. The Council did not have much power in the newly declared republic and plunged into Civil War in 1812. Spanish General Juan Domingo Monteverde lead the Spanish forces into the Republic to crush the rebellion, and the divided Venezuela fell. On July 25, 1812, Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda capitulated to the Spanish.

• Second Republic of Venezuela
• Greater Colombia

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