200 years after the victory of the Venezuelan people in the Naval Battle of Lake Maracaibo, the President of the Republic, Nicolás Maduro, asserted that this patriotic feat meant a heroic triumph against the unbeatable army of the European empire:
«The day had to come, and it came the day of the 200th anniversary of the great victory of the people of Zulia, of the Colombian people, a heroic victory for Colombia, a heroic victory of the Liberation Army created by Bolívar, hero of the Gran Colombia against the Spanish army, the unbeatable army of the European empires, who after the Battle of Carabobo tried to reconquer Venezuela from Maracaibo and Puerto Cabello.»
President Maduro described the Naval Battle of the Lake as a joint effort by Venezuelan and Colombian soldiers, in union with the people of Zulia, to defeat the Spanish crown.
“The Naval Battle of the Lake was planned with the black, the indigenous, mestizo, peasant, white and patriotic women, they fought for our independence on a day like today in this sacred Lake of Maracaibo. With this sun they fought full of energy and strength 200 years ago and it was our grandfathers and grandmothers who obtained the great victory, defeating the Spanish empire and making them sign their capitulation. It was a victory for our united peoples and in that battle of our peoples, a heroic battle, the Bolivarian Army and our anti-imperialist and nationalist Army were born. Honor and glory to the Liberator Army!»
The Head of State made a call to remain vigilant, caring for and protecting our people and our lakes and seas, the Caribbean and Atlantic façade.
