general José Tadeo Monagas. In December 1868, José Tadeo Monagas died and Sotillo was named head of the Armies of The Blue Government. In January 1869, he decided to support the presidential candidacy of José Ruperto Monagas, son of his compadre the late general Jose Tadeo Monagas. Being then an octogenarian, general Sotillo retired from public life after the arrival of general Antonio Guzmán Blanco to power in April 1870. General Sotillo died in his hometown of Santa Ana in 1874 and his remains were put to rest in the National Pantheon of Venezuela on 9 January 1878. While alive, he was nicknamed the Centaur of Santa Ana, after his temper and disposition in battle. Juan Antonio Sotillo Municipality is named for him. See also Antonio Guzmán Blanco Federal War José Antonio Páez List of presidents of Venezuela External links "Biografía Juan Antonio Sotillo" by Frank Rodríguez, Venezuela Tuya Portal, October 2002, retrieved 2 November 2005. "De la Gran Colombia a la Federación 1821 / 1870" by Fundación Polar, Historia de Venezuela en Imágenes, retrieved 2 November 2005. 1790 births 1874 deaths People from Anzoátegui History of Venezuela People of the Venezuelan War of Independence People of the Federal War Burials at the National Pantheon of Venezuela