 With Ferdinand VII's return, Venezuela was reunited in one captaincy general.In 1812 a new Audiencia appointed by the Cortes was able to return in Caracas.Under the leadership of Dominican-born Regent José Francisco Heredia (father of Cuban poet, José María Heredia y Heredia), the Audiencia put up fierce resistance to Monteverde's attempts to rule the Captaincy General under martial law.