The Captaincy General of Venezuela (Spanish: Capitanía General de Venezuela) is an administrative district of colonial Spain, created on September 8, 1777, through the Royal Decree of Graces of 1777, to provide more autonomy for the provinces of Venezuela, previously under the jurisdiction of the Viceroyalty of New Granada and the Audiencia of Santo Domingo.
It establishea a unified government in political (governorship), military (captaincy general), fiscal (intendancy) and judicial (audiencia) affairs.
Its creation is part of the Bourbon Reforms and lays the groundwork for the future nation of Venezuela, in particular by orienting the province of Maracaibo towards the province of Caracas.
