“Jumping the fence” is a popular expression used in Venezuela to refer to someone who switches political sides. It's a phenomenon frequently seen in national events; it has always been the case. Venezuelan history is full of figures who changed sides, but the true champion in this discipline was, without a doubt, Antonio Fernández de León.
His first act of defiance occurred in 1808, when Napoleon Bonaparte kidnapped the King and Queen of Spain. At that time, Fernández de León traveled from Maracay to Caracas to propose to the wealthy landowners (known as "mantuanos") the creation of their own junta, independent of the Crown. Faced with this insurrection, he was arrested and sent to Seville to face justice. However, he successfully defended himself: not only was he pardoned, but he was also granted the title of Marquis of Casa León and appointed official commissioner to dispatch salted meats, cheeses, and footwear to the Spanish army.
Fernández de León returned to Venezuela in January 1810. Shortly afterward, following the events of April 19 of that same year, he switched sides again and was appointed president of the Court of Appeals, Resources, and Appeals of the new patriot government in Caracas. In early 1812, General Francisco de Miranda appointed him Director of Revenue. However, in July of that year, the royalists regained power, and Fernández de León quickly aligned himself with them, serving as Intendant of the Army and the Royal Treasury.
In August 1813, Simón Bolívar triumphed in his Admirable Campaign and, once again, appointed Fernández de León as Director of Revenue. But the republican joy was short-lived: in July 1814, the royalist José Tomás Boves captured Caracas, and Fernández de León managed to be appointed political chief of the province. By 1815, with the arrival of the Spanish general Pablo Morillo, he was confirmed as the new political chief of the royalists.
Finally, Antonio Fernández de León died in Puerto Rico in 1826, curiously supported financially by Simón Bolívar himself and his sister, María Antonia Bolívar. This figure was the true "chameleon" of our history; his life demonstrates that switching sides is not a new practice, and that it occurs not only in our country, but throughout the world.
