Dictatorship of José Antonio Páez

The dictatorship of José Antonio Páez was his third and final government, this time as the supreme civil and military leader of Venezuela during the Federal War. On this occasion, Páez did not come to power through elections but assumed control after a coup against President Pedro Gual, who was arrested with his approval and later exiled. He ruled as a dictator between 1861 and 1863, focusing his efforts on winning the war, while de facto governance was exercised by his minister Pedro José Rojas.

Páez failed in his goal of restoring order in the country under his influence and resigned, going into exile in Argentina. He was succeeded by the government of Juan Crisóstomo Falcón, marking the beginning of four decades of liberal-aligned rule.