Raúl Leoni
Encyclopedia
Raúl Leoni Otero was President of Venezuela
from 1964 until 1969. He fought against the dictators Juan Vicente Gómez
and Marcos Pérez Jiménez
, and was a charter member of the Acción Democrática party.
He was born in El Manteco, Bolívar State, son of a mason
born in Corsica
. He graduated at the Central University of Venezuela
in Caracas
as a lawyer. Was member of the Generation of 1928
, and the first Labor minister of Venezuela.
One of the pillars of a political consolidation in Venezuela, the Pacto de Punto Fijo, was underestimated by Leoni, since in his opinion it reduced the "coherence and organization of the regime". Strictly, the pact mandated that the composition of the executive cabinet be limited to representatives of three of the more important political parties: Acción Democrática (AD), COPEI
and Unión Republicana Democrática (URD). Leoni initially formed a cabinet with a few members of his party and a good number of independents. Later, in November 1964, Leoni initiated conversations with leaders of the involved parties to rescue the spirit of the pact. A new cabinet was formed, but it lasted for only 16 months.
Leoni took control of the presidency on 13 March 1964, succeeding Rómulo Betancourt
; both were members of the Acción Democrática.
During his government, Leoni carried out important structural projects in Venezuela, specifically the development of heavy industry in Guayana (hydroelectric, iron and steel), inauguration of the Bank of the Workers, and construction of road infrastructure (highways, freeways, and bridges – the most important of which crossed the Orinoco
). Important changes to labor and social programs also occurred; unions gained force and the Social Security law was modified. Leoni made an attempt at reforming tax structure, but was restrained by a coalition of left and right that openly served the interests of oil companies.
In 1967 the Invasion of Machurucuto happened during the presidency where 12 guerrillas attempted to help Venezuelan guerrillas in the Venezuelan Andes.
Also, in this same period Leoni signed the Cartagena Agreement (precursor to the Andean Community trade bloc
) in Bogotá
between Venezuela, Chile
, Colombia
, Perú
and Ecuador
.
During Leoni's presidency the conflict with the leftist guerrilla movement Armed Forces for National Liberation
(FALN) intensified. In 1967 he suspended constitutional guarantees.
On the 11 March 1969, Leoni transferred power to Rafael Caldera
, member of the Christian Democratic Party COPEI
and signatory of the Pacto de Punto Fijo. This transfer definitively instituted the alternation of power between the important parties through the end of the 20th century in Venezuela.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
from 1964 until 1969. He fought against the dictators Juan Vicente Gómez
Juan Vicente Gómez
Juan Vicente Gómez Chacón was a military general and de facto ruler of Venezuela from 1908 until his death in 1935. He was president on three occasions during this time, and ruled as an unelected military strongman for the rest of the era.-Early years:Gómez was a barely literate cattle herder and...
and 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...
, and was a charter member of the Acción Democrática party.
He was born in El Manteco, Bolívar State, son of a mason
Masonry
Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...
born in Corsica
Corsica
Corsica is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located west of Italy, southeast of the French mainland, and north of the island of Sardinia....
. He graduated at the Central University of Venezuela
Central University of Venezuela
The Central University of Venezuela is a premier public University of Venezuela located in Caracas...
in Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
as a lawyer. Was member of the Generation of 1928
Generation of 1928
The Generation of 1928 was a group of Venezuelan students who led protests in Caracas in 1928 against the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez. Many politicians prominent in Venezuela's transition to democracy took part in the protests...
, and the first Labor minister of Venezuela.
One of the pillars of a political consolidation in Venezuela, the Pacto de Punto Fijo, was underestimated by Leoni, since in his opinion it reduced the "coherence and organization of the regime". Strictly, the pact mandated that the composition of the executive cabinet be limited to representatives of three of the more important political parties: Acción Democrática (AD), COPEI
COPEI
Copei – Social Christian Party of Venezuela is a third way political party in Venezuela. The name stands for Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente...
and Unión Republicana Democrática (URD). Leoni initially formed a cabinet with a few members of his party and a good number of independents. Later, in November 1964, Leoni initiated conversations with leaders of the involved parties to rescue the spirit of the pact. A new cabinet was formed, but it lasted for only 16 months.
Presidency
Rómulo Betancourt
Rómulo Ernesto Betancourt Bello , known as "The Father of Venezuelan Democracy", was President of Venezuela from 1945 to 1948 and again from 1959 to 1964, as well as leader of Accion Democratica, Venezuela's dominant political party in the 20th century...
; both were members of the Acción Democrática.
During his government, Leoni carried out important structural projects in Venezuela, specifically the development of heavy industry in Guayana (hydroelectric, iron and steel), inauguration of the Bank of the Workers, and construction of road infrastructure (highways, freeways, and bridges – the most important of which crossed the Orinoco
Orinoco
The Orinoco is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes called the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3% of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia...
). Important changes to labor and social programs also occurred; unions gained force and the Social Security law was modified. Leoni made an attempt at reforming tax structure, but was restrained by a coalition of left and right that openly served the interests of oil companies.
In 1967 the Invasion of Machurucuto happened during the presidency where 12 guerrillas attempted to help Venezuelan guerrillas in the Venezuelan Andes.
Also, in this same period Leoni signed the Cartagena Agreement (precursor to the Andean Community trade bloc
Trade bloc
A trade bloc is a type of intergovernmental agreement, often part of a regional intergovernmental organization, where regional barriers to trade, are reduced or eliminated among the participating states.-Description:...
) in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
between Venezuela, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, Perú
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
and Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
.
During Leoni's presidency the conflict with the leftist guerrilla movement Armed Forces for National Liberation
Fuerzas Armadas de Liberación Nacional (Venezuela)
The Armed Forces of National Liberation was a Venezuelan guerrilla group formed to foment revolution against the democratically elected government of Rómulo Betancourt.-Background:...
(FALN) intensified. In 1967 he suspended constitutional guarantees.
On the 11 March 1969, Leoni transferred power to Rafael Caldera
Rafael Caldera
Rafael 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...
, member of the Christian Democratic Party COPEI
COPEI
Copei – Social Christian Party of Venezuela is a third way political party in Venezuela. The name stands for Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente...
and signatory of the Pacto de Punto Fijo. This transfer definitively instituted the alternation of power between the important parties through the end of the 20th century in Venezuela.
Raúl Leoni's cabinet
| Ministries | ||
|---|---|---|
| OFFICE | NAME | TERM |
| President | Raúl Leoni | 1964–1969 |
| Home Affairs | Gonzalo Barrios Gonzalo Barrios Gonzalo Barrios Bustillos , was a Venezuelan politician. Founding member of party Acción Democrática , and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the first AD government . Later Minister of Interior and Justice under Raúl Leoni .... |
1964–1966 |
| Reinaldo Leandro Mora | 1966–1969 | |
| Outer Relations | Ignacio Iribarren Borges | 1964–1969 |
| Finance | Andrés Germán Otero | 1964–1965 |
| Eddy Morales Crespo | 1965–1967 | |
| Benito Raúl Losada | 1967–1968 | |
| Francisco Mendoza | 1968–1969 | |
| Defense | Ramón Florencio Gómez | 1964–1969 |
| Development | Manuel Egaña | 1964 |
| Luis Hernández Solís | 1964–1968 | |
| Ana María Casanova | 1968–1969 | |
| Public Works | Leopoldo Sucre Figarella Leopoldo Sucre Figarella Leopoldo Sucre Figarella , was a Venezuelan politician and engineer. A member of the Sucre family Sucre Figarella served as Governor, Minister and Senator during his long and eventful political career. He was nicknamed "The Builder" and "The Czar of Guayana".-Early career:He was born in Tumeremo in... |
1964–1969 |
| Education | José Manuel Siso Martínez | 1964–1969 |
| Labor | Eloy Lares Martínez | 1964 |
| Hens Silva Torres | 1964–1967 | |
| Simón Antoni Paván | 1967–1968 | |
| Raúl Valera | 1968–1969 | |
| Communications | Lorenzo Azpúrua Marturet | 1964 |
| J. J. González Gorrondona | 1964–1966 | |
| Héctor Santaella | 1966–1967 | |
| Juan Manuel Domínguez Chacín | 1967–1968 | |
| Lorenzo Azpúrua Marturet | 1968–1969 | |
| Agriculture | Alejandro Osorio | 1964 |
| Juan José Palacios | 1964–1965 | |
| Pedro Segnini La Cruz | 1965–1966 | |
| Alejandro Osorio | 1966–1969 | |
| Health and Social Assistance | Alfredo Arreaza Guzmán | 1964 |
| Domingo Guzmán Lander | 1964–1967 | |
| Alfonso Araujo Belloso | 1967–1968 | |
| Armando Soto Rivera | 1968–1969 | |
| Justice | Miguel Ángel Burelli Rivas Miguel Ángel Burelli Rivas Miguel Ángel Burelli Rivas , was a Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat and politician, presidential candidate in 1968, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, between 1994 until 1999.... |
1964 |
| Ramón Escovar Salom | 1964–1966 | |
| José S. Núñez Aristimuño | 1966–1969 | |
| Mines and Hydrocarbons | Manuel Pérez Guerrero | 1964–1967 |
| José Antonio Mayobre | 1967–1969 | |
| Secretary of Presidency | Manuel Mantilla | 1964–1969 |