Venezuelan President. Born in Rubio, Venezuela, he served as the nation's president from 1974 to 1979 and from 1989 until his impeachment in 1993. He became active in politics in 1941, joining the Democratic Action Party, eventually rising to the national post of interior minister. He was immensely popular in his first term as president, credited with modernizing the nation's infrastructure and transportation systems, providing increased funding for social programs, and the establishment of steel and electric companies. His second term in office was marked by a significant drop in oil revenues and growing unpopularity, resulting in high gas prices among the poor, while triggering a series of national riots that left over 300 people dead. He was the target of two failed political coups in 1992, including one led by future President Hugo Chavez. He was removed from office in 1993, charged and convicted of corruption, for allegedly misspending 17 million dollars in public funds which he adamantly denied. In May 1993 he was sentenced to two years of house arrest. Following his release from house arrest, he was elected as a senator for the region of Tachira in 1998. In 2000 he left his native Venezuela, spending time abroad between the United States and the Dominican Republic, after President Hugo Chavez dissolved the national Congress and sought to implement a new national constitution. He suffered from declining health after suffering a stroke in October 2003, and died from respiratory and heart related problems in a Miami hospital.
Venezuelan President. Born in Rubio, Venezuela, he served as the nation's president from 1974 to 1979 and from 1989 until his impeachment in 1993. He became active in politics in 1941, joining the Democratic Action Party, eventually rising to the national post of interior minister. He was immensely popular in his first term as president, credited with modernizing the nation's infrastructure and transportation systems, providing increased funding for social programs, and the establishment of steel and electric companies. His second term in office was marked by a significant drop in oil revenues and growing unpopularity, resulting in high gas prices among the poor, while triggering a series of national riots that left over 300 people dead. He was the target of two failed political coups in 1992, including one led by future President Hugo Chavez. He was removed from office in 1993, charged and convicted of corruption, for allegedly misspending 17 million dollars in public funds which he adamantly denied. In May 1993 he was sentenced to two years of house arrest. Following his release from house arrest, he was elected as a senator for the region of Tachira in 1998. In 2000 he left his native Venezuela, spending time abroad between the United States and the Dominican Republic, after President Hugo Chavez dissolved the national Congress and sought to implement a new national constitution. He suffered from declining health after suffering a stroke in October 2003, and died from respiratory and heart related problems in a Miami hospital.
Bio by: Nils M. Solsvik Jr.
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