Excerpts of the debates in the Constituent Congress in which Miranda played a crucial role in convincing the Venezuelan oligarchy to vote for independence from Spain and for drafting the Constitution of the first Republic of Venezuela. However, Miranda failed to convince that federalism also requires a central means for unifying the country and defending it. Local oligarchies remained reluctant, preferring to keep some military and political room for manoeuvre, indicating a lack of genuine consensus on Miranda’s emancipation path and his democratic separation of powers. Consequently, Miranda, who knew that independence was at risk without a unified State and Army, warned that this constitution was detrimental to the common security and Independence, clarifying the lack of balance of powers and of means to unite Venezuelan society, thereby exposing its independence and security. Once more, Miranda was right, and he foresaw what happened less than 1 year later.