Venezuelan War of Independence more years of war, the country achieved independence from Spain in 1821 under the leadership of its most famous son, Simón Bolívar. Venezuela, along with the countries of Colombia, Panama, and Ecuador, formed part of the Republic of Gran Colombia until 1830, when Venezuela separated and became a sovereign country. The French invasion of Spain in 1808 led to the collapse of the Spanish Monarchy. Most subjects of Spain did not accept the government of Joseph Bonaparte, placed on the Spanish throne by his brother, Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte of France. At the same time, the process of creating a stable
Subdivisions of Gran Colombia Subdivisions of Gran Colombia The Republic of Gran Colombia was a former independent country in northern South America, a post-Spanish colonial country that existed from 1819 to 1831. Its initial subdivisions, created in 1820, were revised and expanded in 1824. The initial country subdivision of Gran Colombia was into three departments, without larger districts or smaller provinces. They were: The Distrito del Norte (northern district) was in present-day Venezuela and parts of Guyana and Brazil. Its departments and provinces were: The Distrito del Centro (central district) was in present-day Colombia and Panamá. Its departments and provinces were: The Distrito del