In 1812 the Confederation began suffering serious military reverses , and the government granted Miranda command of the army and leadership of the Confederation . A powerful earthquake , which hit Venezuela on 26 March 1812 , also a Maundy Thursday , and caused damage mostly in republican areas , also helped turn the population against the Republic . Since , the Caracas Junta had been established on a Maundy Thursday , the earthquake fell on its second anniversary in the liturgical calendar . This was interpreted by many as a sign from Providence , and many , including those in the Republican army , began to secretly plot against the Republic or outright defect . Other provinces refused to send reinforcements to Caracas Province . Worse still , whole provinces began to switch sides . On 4 July an uprising brought Barcelona over to the royalist side . Neighboring Cumaná , now cut off from the Republican center , refused to recognize Miranda 's dictatorial powers and his appointment of a commandant general . By the middle of the month many of the outlying areas of Cumaná Province had also defected to the royalists
powerful earthquake
1812 Caracas earthquake
First Republic of Venezuela