First Presidency of Rafael Caldera
Encyclopedia
The First Presidency of Rafael Caldera took place from 1969 to 1974. He was elected again in 1993 (Second Presidency of Rafael Caldera
).
Caldera's first government emphasized the end of the Betancourt doctrine, which denied Venezuelan diplomatic recognition to any regime, right or left, that came to power by military force. Caldera broke the isolation of Venezuela with the rest of Latin America
, recognizing the military governments of the region, and made a policy in defense of the insular territories, and the Gulf of Venezuela, and signed the Port of Spain
Protocol with Guyana
, which concerned the Guayana Esequiba
. The president's economic policies were notable for the reinforcement of the power of the employer's association Fedecámaras, and the period of North American economic crisis, that also characterized the first term of Richard Nixon
, with low oil prices, which caused the economic growth of Venezuela to stagnate. Caldera also presided over a period of pacification of the country, making a ceasefire with the left armed groups, which were then integrated into the political life, and legalising the Communist Party of Venezuela
in spite of the opposition of Acción Democrática.
Caldera also reformed the 1961 Constitution to remove a ban on election to public office for people who had been sentenced to more than three years in prison, which had been specifically designed to politically disqualify General Marcos Pérez Jiménez
, by means of its retroactive application. Caldera closed the Industrial Technical School permanently, and the Central University of Venezuela
for two years, due to student protests against his government. On 9 December 1970, Rafael Caldera created the Great Marshal of Ayacucho Institute of National Higher Defence Studies (IAEDEN), to further the development of a state security perspective, and to contribute to the defence culture of the nation.
Caldera, who raised the tax on the rent to the oil companies to 60 percent, initiated the construction of El Tablazo petrochemical complex, in Zulia State. He also inaugurated the Poliedro de Caracas
, and the Miguel Pérez Carreño Hospital in Caracas, and concluded the demarcation of borders with Brazil
. Rafael Caldera ended his first term as president on 12 March 1974, and was replaced by Carlos Andrés Pérez
, from Acción Democrática, who won the 1973 elections.
The government arrived with an attitude of ideological pluralism and dialogue across the political spectrum, entered into talks with the armed groups, legalized leftist parties and released jailed politicians, demanding only that they stay within Venezuelan law.
As result from this effort, by the end of Caldera's presidency, for the first time in many years, no significant political organization in Venezuela planned to take control of the government by violent means. At the 1973 elections, leaders of the old guerrilla movements were elected as senators and deputies.
Second Presidency of Rafael Caldera
The Second Presidency of Rafael Caldera took place from 1994 to 1999. He had previously been President from 1969 to 1974.-Presidency:In his second presidency, Caldera included politicians from other political backgrounds who supported his candidacy in his cabinet, like some representatives of MAS...
).
Presidency
| Candidates | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Rafael Caldera | 1,083,712 | 29.13% |
| Gonzalo Barrios | 1,050,806 | 28.24% |
| Miguel Angel Burelli | 826,758 | 22.22% |
| Luis Pietro Figueroa | 719,461 | 19.34% |
| Abstention: | 135.311 | 3.27% |
| Total votes: | 3,999,617 |
Caldera's first government emphasized the end of the Betancourt doctrine, which denied Venezuelan diplomatic recognition to any regime, right or left, that came to power by military force. Caldera broke the isolation of Venezuela with the rest of Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
, recognizing the military governments of the region, and made a policy in defense of the insular territories, and the Gulf of Venezuela, and signed the Port of Spain
Port of Spain
Port of Spain, also written as Port-of-Spain, is the capital of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the country's third-largest municipality, after San Fernando and Chaguanas. The city has a municipal population of 49,031 , a metropolitan population of 128,026 and a transient daily population...
Protocol with Guyana
Guyana
Guyana , officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, previously the colony of British Guiana, is a sovereign state on the northern coast of South America that is culturally part of the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana was a former colony of the Dutch and of the British...
, which concerned the Guayana Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba
Guayana Esequiba is a territory administered by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela. It includes the territory between the Cuyuni River to the west and the Essequibo River to the east...
. The president's economic policies were notable for the reinforcement of the power of the employer's association Fedecámaras, and the period of North American economic crisis, that also characterized the first term of Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, with low oil prices, which caused the economic growth of Venezuela to stagnate. Caldera also presided over a period of pacification of the country, making a ceasefire with the left armed groups, which were then integrated into the political life, and legalising the Communist Party of Venezuela
Communist Party of Venezuela
The Communist Party of Venezuela is a Marxist-Leninist political party, and the oldest continuously existing party in Venezuela...
in spite of the opposition of Acción Democrática.
Caldera also reformed the 1961 Constitution to remove a ban on election to public office for people who had been sentenced to more than three years in prison, which had been specifically designed to politically disqualify General Marcos Pérez Jiménez
Marcos Pérez Jiménez
Marcos Evangelista Pérez Jiménez was a soldier and Presidents of Venezuela from 1952 to 1958.-Career:Marcos Evangelista Pérez Jiménez was born in Michelena, Táchira State. His father, Juan Pérez Bustamante, was a farmer; his mother, Adela Jiménez, a schoolteacher...
, by means of its retroactive application. Caldera closed the Industrial Technical School permanently, and the Central University of Venezuela
Central University of Venezuela
The Central University of Venezuela is a premier public University of Venezuela located in Caracas...
for two years, due to student protests against his government. On 9 December 1970, Rafael Caldera created the Great Marshal of Ayacucho Institute of National Higher Defence Studies (IAEDEN), to further the development of a state security perspective, and to contribute to the defence culture of the nation.
Caldera, who raised the tax on the rent to the oil companies to 60 percent, initiated the construction of El Tablazo petrochemical complex, in Zulia State. He also inaugurated the Poliedro de Caracas
Poliedro de Caracas
The Poliedro de Caracas is an indoor sports arena, located on the grounds adjacent to Hipodromo La Rinconada, in Caracas, Venezuela. It was designed by architect Thomas C. Howard of Synergetics, Inc, in Raleigh, NCin 1971...
, and the Miguel Pérez Carreño Hospital in Caracas, and concluded the demarcation of borders with Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Rafael Caldera ended his first term as president on 12 March 1974, and was replaced by Carlos Andrés Pérez
Carlos Andrés Pérez
Carlos Andrés Pérez Rodríguez , also known as CAP and often referred to as El Gocho , was a Venezuelan politician, President of Venezuela from 1974 to 1979 and again from 1989 to 1993. His first presidency was known as the Saudi Venezuela due to its economic and social prosperity thanks to...
, from Acción Democrática, who won the 1973 elections.
Pacification of Venezuela
In 1969, the new government inherited a country with active urban and rural guerrilla movements, bans on two important political parties and many political leaders imprisoned. From the beginning of Caldera's presidency, this practice was suspended and constitutional guarantees thereafter were maintained.The government arrived with an attitude of ideological pluralism and dialogue across the political spectrum, entered into talks with the armed groups, legalized leftist parties and released jailed politicians, demanding only that they stay within Venezuelan law.
As result from this effort, by the end of Caldera's presidency, for the first time in many years, no significant political organization in Venezuela planned to take control of the government by violent means. At the 1973 elections, leaders of the old guerrilla movements were elected as senators and deputies.
Cabinet
| Ministries | ||
|---|---|---|
| OFFICE | NAME | TERM |
| President | Rafael Caldera | 1969–1974 |
| Home Affairs | Lorenzo Fernández | 1969–1972 |
| Nectario Andrade Labarca | 1972–1974 | |
| Outer Relations | Arístides Calvani | 1969–1974 |
| Finance | Pedro R. Tinoco Pedro Tinoco Pedro Tinoco was Venezuela's Minister of Finance from 1969 to 1972, under President Rafael Caldera. He was then Chairman of the Board of Banco Latino from 1975, and one of Carlos Andrés Pérez's "Twelve Apostles".... |
1969–1972 |
| Luis Enrique Oberto | 1972–1974 | |
| Defense | Martín García Villasmil | 1969–1971 |
| Jesús Carbonell Izquierdo | 1971–1972 | |
| Gustavo Pardi Dávila | 1972–1974 | |
| Development | Haydée Castillo | 1969–1971 |
| Héctor Hernández Carabaño | 1971–1974 | |
| Public Works | José Curiel | 1969–1974 |
| Education | Héctor Hernández Carabaño | 1969–1971 |
| Enrique Pérez Olivares | 1971–1974 | |
| Justice | Nectario Andrade Labarca | 1969–1970 |
| Orlando Tovar Tamayo | 1970–1971 | |
| Edilberto Escalante | 1971–1974 | |
| Mines and Hydrocarbons | Hugo Pérez La Salvia | 1969–1974 |
| Labor | Alfredo Tarre Murzi | 1969–1970 |
| Nectario Andrade Labarca | 1970–1972 | |
| Alberto Martín Urdaneta | 1972–1974 | |
| Communications | Ramón José Velásquez Ramón José Velásquez Ramón José Velásquez Mujica is a Venezuelan political figure. He served as Acting president of Venezuela between 1993 and 1994. He is known as a historian, journalist, lawyer, politician and entertainer of companies for his knowledge of the "national life".Velásquez was born in Táchira,Venezuela... |
1969–1971 |
| Enrique Bustamante Luciani | 1971–1974 | |
| Agriculture | Jesús López Luque | 1969–1971 |
| Daniel Scott Cuervo | 1971–1972 | |
| Miguel Rodríguez Viso | 1972–1974 | |
| Health and Social Assistance | Lisandro Latuff | 1969–1970 |
| José de Jesús Mayz Lyón | 1970–1974 | |
| Secretary of Presidency | Luis Alberto Machado | 1969–1974 |
| Office of Coordination and Planification | Luis Enrique Oberto | 1969–1972 |
| Antonio Casas González | 1972–1974 | |
See also
- Rafael CalderaRafael CalderaRafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez was president of Venezuela from 1969 to 1974 and again from 1994 to 1999.Caldera taught sociology and law at various universities before entering politics. He was a founding member of COPEI, Venezuela's Christian Democratic party...
- Second Presidency of Rafael CalderaSecond Presidency of Rafael CalderaThe Second Presidency of Rafael Caldera took place from 1994 to 1999. He had previously been President from 1969 to 1974.-Presidency:In his second presidency, Caldera included politicians from other political backgrounds who supported his candidacy in his cabinet, like some representatives of MAS...
- Presidents of Venezuela