Venezuela: Polity Style: 1811-2024 - Archontology
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Venezuela: Polity Style: 1811-2024

5 Jul 1811 a resolution in favor of independence of the provinces of Caracas, Cumaná, Barinas, Margarita, Barcelona, Mérida and Trujillo, forming a confederation, is passed by the Supreme Congress (Supremo Congreso) held in Caracas on 5 Jul 1811; a proclamation, declaring "absolute independence," is issued by the Supreme Executive Authority on 5 Jul 1811 (Venezuela Congress Minutes 1811-1812, pp. 199-201; Venezuela Congress Minutes 1811, p. 90; Gazeta de Caracas, No. 40, 9 Jul 1811, p. 2)
5 Jul 1811 - 25 Jul 1812 Confederación Americana de Venezuela [1]
8 Jul 1811 an act of independence is approved by the Supreme Congress on 7 Jul 1811 and promulgated by the Supreme Executive Authority on 8 Jul 1811 (Venezuela Congress Minutes 1811-1812, p. 205; Venezuela Congress Minutes 1811, pp. 94, 199-206; Gazeta de Caracas, No. 41, 16 Jul 1811, pp. 1-3)
25 Jul 1812 - 8 Aug 1813 reverts to Spain
8 Aug 1813 - 8 Sep 1814 Confederación Americana de Venezuela [1]
8 Sep 1814 - 7 May 1816 reverts to Spain
7 May 1816 - 17 Dec 1819 República de Venezuela [2]
17 Dec 1819 the Republic of Venezuela and the territories of Nueva Granada are united into a state under the name of República de Colombia (historically known as Gran Colombia) in accordance with the Fundamental Law of the Republic of Colombia (Ley Fundamental de la República de Colombia) adopted by the Sovereign Congress (Soberano Congreso) of Venezuela on 17 Dec 1819, promulgated by the President of the Republic of Venezuela on 17 Dec 1819 (Congreso de Angostura, pp. 247-250; Correo del Orinoco, No. 47, 18 Dec 1819, pp. 2-3)
17 Dec 1819 - 8 Oct 1821 Departamento de Venezuela
8 Oct 1821 the territory of Departamento de Venezuela is reconstituted as departamentos of Orinoco, Venezuela and Zulia, in accordance with a law passed by the Congreso of Gran Colombia on 2 Oct 1821 and promulgated on 8 Oct 1821 (Gran Colombia Laws 1821-1824, 1:160-171) [3]
26 Nov 1829 the separation from Gran Colombia is proclaimed in accordance with a resolution adopted by an assembly held in Caracas on 26 Nov 1829 (Gaceta del Gobierno, No. 241, 26 Dec 1829, pp. 1-4; Coleccion de documentos relativos a la vida publica del libertador, 21:73-88)
13 Jan 1830 the separation from Gran Colombia and the establishment of a sovereign government are proclaimed in accordance with the decrees issued by Jefe Superior of Venezuela on 13 Jan 1830 (Anales de Venezuela, pp. 85-91)
13 Jan 1830 - 24 Oct 1830 Estado de Venezuela
24 Oct 1830 - 1 May 1864 República de Venezuela [4]
1 May 1864 the Constitution of the United States of Venezuela (Constitución de los Estados Unidos de Venezuela) is signed by the members of the Constituent Assembly (Asamblea Constituyente) on 28 Mar 1864, promulgated by the President of the United States of Venezuela on 13 Apr 1864 and approved by the Council of Ministers on 22 Apr 1864, came into operation on 1 May 1864 when it was read and published in Caracas (El Federalista, No. 224, 2 May 1864, p. 2)
1 May 1864 - 15 Apr 1953 Estados Unidos de Venezuela
15 Apr 1953 the Constitution of the Republic of Venezuela (Constitución de la República de Venezuela) is adopted by the Constituent Assembly (Asamblea Constituyente) on 11 Apr 1953 and promulgated by the President of the United States of Venezuela on 15 Apr 1953 (Gaceta Oficial, No. 372 Extra, 15 Apr 1953, pp. 1-14)
15 Apr 1953 - 30 Dec 1999 República de Venezuela
30 Dec 1999 the Constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela 1999 (Constitución de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela 1999) is adopted by the Constituent National Assembly (Asamblea Nacional Constituyente) on 17 Nov 1999, approved at a referendum held on 15 Dec 1999, came into operation upon publication on 30 Dec 1999 (Gaceta Oficial, No. 36.860, 30 Dec 1999, pp. 312.171-312.198)
30 Dec 1999 - República Bolivariana de Venezuela [5]
  1. The act of independence approved on 7 Jul 1811 referred to the polity as Confederación Americana de Venezuela, Provincias Unidas de Venezuela and Provincias Unidas. Between 5 Jul 1811 and 3 Apr 1812 the confederation was also styled Confederación Venezolana or Provincias Unidas de Venezuela. The Constitution (Constitución Federal para los Estados de Venezuela) signed by the members of the Supreme Congress on 21 Dec 1811 did not specify the polity name, referring to the confederation as Estados Unidos de Venezuela, Estados de Venezuela or simply Confederación.
  2. A provisional government (Supremo Poder Ejecutivo Provisional) appointed by an assembly held in San Felipe de Cariaco on 9 May 1817 issued executive orders under Estados Unidos de Venezuela.
  3. Since 8 Oct 1821 Departamento de Venezuela continued to exist within the borders of the provinces of Caracas and Barinas.
  4. Estado de Venezuela is used in the Constitution, and is in some official use to 20 Jan 1835.
  5. 12 Apr 2002 - 13 Apr 2002 República de Venezuela (in dissidence).