The origins of the Delta Amacuro Federal Territory date back to the Piacoa canton [es] of the Guayana Province, which covered an area similar to the current state; The Orinoco Delta was segregated from Guyana State on 27 April 1884, and a territory called Delta Federal Territory was formed with capital in the city of Pedernales; the capital was transferred to Tucupita (founded in 1848) on 14 November 1887;[3][4] the limits for the federal territory were the following:[2] To the north and east, the Gulf of Paria and the Atlantic Ocean; to the west the dividing line between what were the State of Guayana and Maturín; to the south the Yuruary Territory, and to the southeast English Guiana.

On 21 October 1893, General Manuel Guzmán Álvarez decreed the elimination of the "Delta Federal Territory", incorporating its area into the Bolívar State.

On 26 April 1901, General Cipriano Castro, provisional president of the United States of Venezuela, decreed the recreation of the territory with the name "Delta Amacuro Federal Territory" and designated San José de Amacuro as its capital.

[4] In 1905 the territory was divided into six municipalities: Amacuro, Curiapo, El Toro, Pedernales and Piacoa.

The category of Federal Territory was maintained until 3 August 1991, when by decree of the Congress of the Republic it was converted into the Delta Amacuro State.