The Federal War, is a civil war in Venezuela between the conservative party and the liberal party concerning the monopoly of the conservatives over the land and the government positions; their reluctance to grant any reforms drives the liberals to seek greater autonomy for the provinces.

The Federal War is mainly a guerrilla war largely without a centralized command for the Federalists, who unleash social resentment of the oppressed classes against the Bourgeoisie.

Just over three major conventional battles are fought: The Battle of Santa Inés (December 10, 1859), in which Federalist army leader Ezequiel Zamora and 3,400 men defeat the Central Army of 2,300 men, with about 1,200 casualties altogether both sides; the Battle of Coplé (February 17, 1860), a victory of the government forces of general León de Febres Cordero over a Federalist army of 4,500 men, commanded by Falcón, and the Battle of Buchivacoa (December 26-December 27, 1862).

The hostilities end with the signing of the Treaty of Coche in April 1863.

It is the biggest civil war Venezuela has had since its independence.

Hundreds of thousands die in the violence of the war, or from hunger or disease, in a country with a population of just over a million people.