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Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda visit Venezuela, which is inhabited by Carib, Arawak and Chibcha peoples.
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Spanish colonisation begins on the north-east coast.
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First rebellion against Spanish colonial rule.
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Venezuelan patriots take advantage of Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain to declare independence.
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Independence Act signed.
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Venezuela secedes from Gran Colombia and becomes an independent republic with its capital at Caracas.
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Venezuela governed by Antonio Guzman Blanco, who attracts foreign investment, modernises infrastructure and develops agriculture and education.
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Venezuela fails to repay loans and, as a result, its ports are blockaded by British, Italian and German warships.
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Movement of the Revolutionary Left splits from AD and commences anti-government work.