Autonomy and Indigenous self-government
Per the catalogue's instruction to distinguish autonomy rhetoric and actual projects, this bundle separates the historical 1863 Sovereign/Republic of Zulia episode, defeated during Venezuela's Federal War, from the modern "independentismo zuliano" movement, whose most prominent proponent, longtime governor Manuel Rosales, has proposed studying the feasibility of greater federal autonomy rather than declaring independence. Attributed political characterizations of related movements by the Venezuelan government are presented as such, not as adjudicated fact.
During Venezuela's Federal War, General Jorge Sutherland proclaimed a "Sovereign State of Zulia" in 1863 and later a "Republic of Zulia" in rebellion; he was defeated by Venancio Pulgar and forced into exile, after which the territory was reincorporated into Venezuela.[1] The modern "independentismo zuliano" movement spans a spectrum from regionalist autonomy tendencies within Venezuelan federalism to more radical secessionist positions, with the latter a minority strand.[2] Manuel Rosales, Governor of Zulia from 2000-2008 and 2021-2025, has been the most prominent proponent of Zulia autonomy, with his party proposing a feasibility study on autonomy from the federal government, explicitly compared to Bolivia's Santa Cruz autonomy efforts and motivated by opposition to federal centralization rather than a declared independence campaign.[3]
Status verified as of
Zulia remains a state of Venezuela. No independence referendum or declaration by the contemporary movement is documented. Manuel Rosales' proposal for an autonomy feasibility study represents the most concrete recent political step, framed explicitly as an autonomy measure rather than independence, and comparable in framing to Bolivia's Santa Cruz case.[3]
History
From the 1863 Sovereign State of Zulia to Manuel Rosales' contemporary autonomy proposal.
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· Declaration
General Sutherland proclaimed a Sovereign State of Zulia during the Federal War, later defeated and reincorporated.
Significance here: The most significant historical instance of an actual proclaimed separate state in Zulia.
Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.
Claim: During Venezuela's Federal War, General Jorge Sutherland proclaimed a "Sovereign State of Zulia" in 1863, initially intending to negotiate with the federal government as an equal with a view to eventual accession to the Federal Republic of Venezuela; Sutherland later proclaimed a "Republic of Zulia" in rebellion against the Blue Revolution but was defeated by Venancio Pulgar and forced into exile, after which the territory was divided and reincorporated into Venezuela.
Claim: The modern "independentismo zuliano" (Zulian independentism) movement spans a spectrum from regionalist autonomy tendencies within Venezuelan federalism to more radical secessionist positions seeking recognition of Zulia as an independent nation, with the secessionist strand representing a minority position within the broader movement.
Claim: Manuel Rosales, who served as Governor of Zulia from February 2000 to November 2008 and again from December 2021 to June 2025, has been the most prominent proponent of Zulia autonomy; his party proposed a feasibility study on autonomy from Venezuela's federal government, explicitly compared to Bolivia's Santa Cruz autonomy efforts, motivated by opposition to federal centralization rather than a declared independence campaign.