Resumen

BERBESI DE SALAZAR, Ligia. Maracaibo ante la independencia nacional1. TF [online]. 2004, vol.22, n.88, pp. 449-468. ISSN 0798-2968.

One analysis of social issues based on cultural codes and its own values accounts for the real actors of processes, and the conviction that power is a social construction of representations and practices. Based on these considerations, our purpose is to analyze attitudes and behaviors of men who, as administrators of local or provincial government, organize and define positions in Maracaibo, during the tense political climate of the late 18th century and early 19th century. Based on the network of resources and relations related to them, the focus is their public actions in face of the new political circumstances. This paper shows the influence, since 1812, of erudite thinking, whose objective is the struggle for sovereignty, freedom and independence, following the proposal of Caracas. At the same time, positions of fidelity and loyalty on the people of Maracaibo to the Crown were determined by the local, regional and monarchic relations, which represented their interests as social communities. The conclusion is that these relations and resources allowed the local town council to respond to the political legitimacy crisis, and to assume control of power in the provincial capital at least until 1821, when Maracaibo was annexed to the Republic of Colombia.

Palabras llave : Maracaibo; power; relations network; erudition; independence.