Manuel Piar had taken the missions of Caroni in early 1817, which had served as an important supply base for the Royalist Spanish forces; it would thereafter fill the same role for the Revolutionaries.

With the loss of the missions, the places held by the Royalists had largely fallen without a source to supply their armies & were at risk of starvation.

On 11 April the Spaniards met Piar, who led a force of 500 riflemen, 800 lancers, 500 Indian archers and 400 horsemen.

The Patriots, which infantry were surpassed in number and experience by the Royalists', won in a short battle thanks to the superiority of the Republican cavalry.

Thanks to the Battle of San Félix, the Venezuelan Patriots won not only the rich territory of Guayana, but also the critical tool of transportation and commerce, the Orinoco.