Hablando de Venezuela (Talking about Venezuela)

The territories on which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela currently sits were originally occupied by natives of diverse ethnic groups. Evidence exists that these human groups actually lived in the actual country of Venezuela starting almost 12,000 years ago.

Origin of the Name “Venezuela”

Two theories stand out on the origin of the name “Venezuela.” One theory says that the word from the native word “Veneçiuela.” This term signifies “Large Water,” in reference to the great territorial extension of Maracaibo Lake. The second theory says that the word comes from little Italy word of “Venice” (that is to say small Venice), supposedly attributed to Americo Vespuccio who named it that because the small huts of the natives that lived in the Sinamaica Lagoon looked like the Venetian dwellings of those times.

In 1498, Christopher Columbus arrived on the Venezuelan coasts during his third trip to the American continent. Other notable European navigators like Americo Vespuccio, Juan de la Cosa, Alonso de Ojeda and Vicente Yánez Pinzon also explored the Venezuelan territories.

During the time of the Spanish occupation, a series of events took place against the Iberian authorities. In the first years of conquest, several armed resistance groups were organized by the chiefs and leaders of Caribbean communities and other ethnic groups that bravely resisted the devastating advance of the Spaniards. Among the most distinguished leaders of the native resistance were Chief Guacaipuro, Chief Tiuna, Chief Paramacay and Chief Tamanaco, among others, who sacrificed themselves to try to stop the oppression of their towns.

Afterwards, once Spanish control was established, another series of resistance movements was led by mixed, black, and white natives. Among these it is important to mention the formation of the so-called “cimarroneras” communities, which were common centers for black slaves that escaped from the estates of their owners. Among these movements the following stood out:

• The José Leonardo Chirinos Movement: an uprising of black and men of mixed race that took place in 1795 in the region of Falcón, and it grew large enough to threaten the control of the Spanish authority in that province. This rebellion was severely punished.
• The Gual and Spain Movement: the first planned rebellion led by white natives that wanted the absolute independence of Venezuela. This movement took place between 1797 and came to an end in 1799. This plan was discovered and contained by the Spanish authorities; nevertheless, it became an inspiration for the formation of other movements in favor of the independence of Venezuela, especially in the city of Caracas