For a good while, Venezuela has constantly been in news headlines for its ongoing domestic challenges, but July 5th is the day that the country can unite in its historical excellence. On this day in the year of 1811, Venezuela became a trailblazer of South America, being the first to proclaim independence from their Spanish colonizers.
Manifesting Independence
Venezuela was originally part of a larger Spanish colony called “Gran Colombia” which included present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, northern Peru, western Guyana, and northwest Brazil.
The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence was primarily written by Cristóbal Mendoza and Juan Germán Roscio. In retrospect, this declaration of independence stood as the country’s manifestation for freedom from Spain, but the fight for independence was long from over.
Venezuela’s independence wasn’t permanently claimed and internationally accepted until 1823 with the help of Latin America’s very own historical superstar, Simón Bolívar. Bolívar had a modern ideology in believing and proposing that freedom for the country wouldn’t be achievable until everyone, including slaves, indigenous people and women were free with equal rights. Of course, this wasn’t fully accepted or even taken into serious consideration until more recent history.
This delayed realization of independence was due to a long chain of battles between Venezolanos and the Spanish, who wanted to keep the country under its rule. The constant battles between Venezolanos and Spaniards were fairly balanced up until the Battle of Carabobo which tipped the scales in favor of independence.
Glowing with Independence
After securing their victory of Independence, Venezuela paid the favor forward in assisting present day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia to gain their own independence from Spain.
Venezuela’s Declaration of Independence remains a reminder of the unity it took to take the initial step past manifesting victory in Latin America’s battles for freedom from Spain. Currently, the written document is kept on display in the Capital of Caracas at el Museo de la Casa de las Primeras Letras Simón Rodríguez.
