Trujillo State | Venezuela

Trujillo State functions as the primary religious and high-altitude agricultural pivot of western Venezuela. Situated in the Andean region, it serves as a specialized node for specialty coffee production, Catholic pilgrimage, and mountain-valley logistics. In January 2026, the state is defined by a state of monumental political transition following the January 3, 2026, U.S. military operation "Absolute Resolve," which resulted in the removal of the previous executive leadership in Caracas.

Historical Timeline

1557: Founded by Diego García de Paredes; known as the "City of Peace and Enchantment."

1813: Site of the signing of the Decree of War to the Death by Simón Bolívar, a specialized legal turn in the Independence War.

1820: Site of the Armistice and War Regularization Treaties signed by Bolívar and Spanish General Morillo in the village of Santa Ana.

2025 (Dec): National coffee production grew by 55%, with Trujillo identified as a top-tier producer of "Specialty Coffee" lots exceeding 90 points.

2026 (Jan 3): Operation Absolute Resolve. U.S. military forces conducted a large-scale intervention, capturing Nicolás Maduro. Regional air defenses in the Andean corridor were suppressed during the operation.

2026 (Jan 5): Interim Administration. Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president in Caracas. In Trujillo, local administrative structures are coordinating with the interim government to maintain the specialized Andean supply chains.

Demographics & Population

The state population is approximately 822,000 (2026 estimate). The demographic is characterized by a high density of small-scale agricultural landowners and a specialized Mestizo Andean culture. In 2026, Trujillo serves as a specialized food sanctuary, as its 2025-2026 harvest was the largest in history, providing 4.7 million quintals of coffee and significant vegetable yields to the rest of the country.

Urban Layout & Key Districts

Trujillo (Capital): The specialized administrative and historical center; located in the Valle de los Mukas, maintaining a colonial grid and religious importance.

Valera: The specialized commercial engine; the state’s largest city and a primary logistical node for the Pan-American Highway.

Boconó: The specialized "Garden of Venezuela"; a high-altitude agricultural district (1,225m) famous for its fertile soil and textiles.

La Puerta: A specialized mountain tourism node; serves as a high-altitude retreat with a cold climate and traditional Andean architecture.

Santa Ana: A specialized historical village; preserved as the site where Bolívar and Morillo met to regularize the war.

Top State Landmarks

Monument to the Virgin of Peace: A specialized 46.7-meter concrete statue located at 1,600m elevation. It is the tallest monument to the Virgin Mary in the world and features five internal viewpoints.

Teta de Niquitao: The highest point in the state at 4,006m; a specialized site for high-altitude trekking and paragliding.

Trujillo Cathedral: A specialized 17th-century structure (completed 1662) that blends colonial and baroque styles.

Santuario de Isnotú: The specialized birthplace of Dr. José Gregorio Hernández, a revered figure in Venezuelan folk-catholicism and a major 2026 pilgrimage site.

Los Cedros Lagoon: A specialized alpine lake within the General Cruz Carrillo National Park, essential for regional water biodiversity.

Transportation & 2026 Logistics

Aviation: Antonio Nicolás Briceño Airport (VLV) in Carvajal. In 2026, operations are restricted; specialized humanitarian and agro-cargo flights are prioritized.

Road Infrastructure: The Troncal 7 (Trans-Andean Highway) is the primary 2026 logistical artery. Warning: Travel is advised during daylight hours due to specialized security patrols by the transition task force.

Agriculture: The 2026 "Andean-Cereal Corridors" initiative aims to prioritize fuel for the transport of the record 2025-2026 coffee harvest from Boconó and Carache to international ports.

Safety & Environment

The safety level in Trujillo remains higher than the national average, though the 2026 political transition has introduced specialized security sweeps in Valera. Warning: Localized protests regarding fuel distribution are a specialized risk. In 2026, the "Trujillo-Agro-Monitor" tracks high-altitude soil stability to prevent landslides during the above-average rainfall predicted for early 2026.

Local Cost Index (2026 Estimates)

1 Night (Colonial Guesthouse in Boconó): €45.00 – €85.00

1 kg Specialty Andean Coffee: €12.00 – €20.00

Traditional "Pizca Andina" Breakfast: €4.00 – €7.00

Monthly Rent (2-BR Apartment in Valera): €350 – €550

Secure Taxi (Valera to Trujillo): €15.00 – €25.00

Facts & Legends

Trujillo is the site of the "Legend of the Carache Dwarves," mythical guardians said to protect the indigenous Timoto-Cuica gold in local caves. A verified fact is that the Virgin of Peace is the tallest habitable monument in the Americas, weighing over 1,200 tons. Historically, Trujillo was one of the first seven provinces to declare independence. In 2026, the state remains the specialized global epicenter for "Trujillo Machete" artisanal blades, which are essential tools for the state's record-breaking coffee production.