 Between 1819 and 1820, while in Trinidad Mendoza supported the cause of the Republic of Venezuela by writing newspaper articles under the pseudonym "a patriot" for the "Correo del Orinoco".Under that pseudonym he also published articles on both civic and international political issues, in particular arguing against efforts to found monarchies in the Americas.After the Battle of Carabobo assured Venezuelan independence in June 1821, Mendoza returned to Caracas with his family in late 1821.