[2] In April 1819, Bolívar met the cavalry division of General Páez encamped on the southern bank of the Arauca River, a major tributary of the Orinoco in the Apure plains, about 300 miles south of Caracas.

The army of Spanish General Pablo Morillo, which was stationed across the river at "Las Queseras del Medio", about a mile from its banks, was 6,000 strong.

Paez took command of 153 llaneros and with their horses crossed the river swimming to a point some two miles above Morillo's encampment.

Upon reaching the protection of the steep river bank on the opposite side, Páez formed his men into six or seven platoons and advanced into the open savannah.

The purpose of this action was to force the two flanking cavalry columns to come together, at which moment Páez would pull back his men to avoid being enveloped.

After the battle Bolívar awarded Páez and his men with the Cruz de los Libertadores (Cross of the Liberators).