MACHIQUES, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — Situated on the western borders of Venezuela, it comprises the districts or provinces belonging to the State of Zulia: Paez, Mara (only in part), Perija, Colon.
The territory was first evangelized by the Spanish Capuchins of Valencia in 1694. They were later joined by several Fathers from Navarra: the work was arduous, but the activity of the zealous priests succeeded in establishing various Christian communities, which were suppressed during the Venezuelan War of Independence, forcing the missionaries to abandon the region. Evangelization was resumed in 1919 by the Capuchins of Castile, to whom the apostolic vicariate was subsequently entrusted; it had been erected by division of the diocese of Zulia on 26 May 1943. The inhabitants are whites, for the most part employed by the oil companies, and indigenous peoples, who may be grouped into three categories according to their degree of civilization: semi-civilized, docile savages, and ferocious savages. The semi-civilized live chiefly in the districts of Paez and Mara: almost all are baptized, but are greatly addicted to superstitions and corrupt practices from which they find it difficult to detach themselves. The docile savages live in the highlands of Perija, in settlements several days’ journey from one another: they have extremely wretched houses, built of poles and large leaves, sleep on mats, and wear a piece of cloth woven from coarse fibers. The ferocious savages, called Motilones, are scattered throughout Colon: they have a reputation for ferocity because of the killings they have committed among workers, shepherds, and farmers; they hate whites because of the ill-treatment they received when the oil companies were established.
The statistical data for 1950 are as follows: 35,000 inhabitants, of whom 32,270 were Catholics and the remainder pagans; 10 Capuchin priests, assisted in the ministry by 5 brothers and 15 sisters; 5 primary stations with their respective churches, and 14 secondary stations; 65 Catholic elementary schools, with 2,614 pupils; 8 dispensaries, with 8,119 consultations annually.