 While in his new position, Mendoza tried and failed to quell tensions between opposing parties in Venezuela, in an effort to avoid more conflict and civil war.He also failed in convincing Caracas not to join the insurrection plan aimed at dissolving Bolivar's Gran Colombia.Mendoza was exiled from Venezuela by General Jose Antonio Paez, and fled to the island of Saint Thomas on 27 November 1826, with his family remaining in Caracas.