 In 1833, Sotillo became Commander of the Province of Barcelona, in eastern Venezuela.Then, in mid-1849, he accompanied general José Laurencio Silva in the Campaign of Guárico, against a revolt headed by general José Antonio Páez.Always close to the Monagas family clan, Sotillo was named second head of the army during the presidency of José Gregorio Monagas, brother of his "compadre" and former commander general José Tadeo Monagas.