Marcos Pérez Jiménez and Rómulo Betancourt: Venezuelan Political History
Marcos Pérez Jiménez
Early Years
Christened Marcos Evangelista Pérez Jiménez, son of Juan Pérez Bustamante and Adela Jiménez, began his military career in 1931 upon entering the Military Academy of Venezuela.
Elections of 1952
On November 30th, 1952, the Board called for elections to establish a Constituent Assembly that would enact a new constitution and conclude the transitional government.
Chair
The government was an authoritarian and personalistic dictatorship that silenced opposition forces and banned most political parties, such as the Democratic Republican Union (URD) and Democratic Action (AD).
New National Ideal
The government of Marcos Pérez Jiménez established the days leading up to July 5th as “Semana de la Patria” (Homeland Week).
Legacy
The government of Marcos Pérez Jiménez was short-lived compared to the 18-year rule of the Paecistas Conservatives (1830-1848), the equally long Guzmancista Liberalism (1870-1888), and the 27-year Gomecism (1908-1935).
Immigration
With the end of World War II and the Spanish Civil War, many Europeans were forced to leave their homes seeking freedom, new opportunities, or a place to rebuild their lives.
Dictatorship
On January 2nd, 1954, the government released over 400 political prisoners and invited exiles to return. In February, an underground manifesto from the Communist Party circulated regarding the upcoming Inter-American Conference in Caracas, titled: “A meeting aimed at accentuating U.S. imperialist domination of Latin American countries.”
1957 Plebiscite
Marcos Pérez Jiménez’s constitutional term, as defined by the constitution drafted by his government, ended in late 1957. To avoid the issues that arose in the flawed 1952 elections, he opted for a plebiscite.
January 23rd, 1958
On January 21st, a press strike began, followed by a general strike called by the Patriotic Junta. On the 22nd, high-ranking military officers convened at the Military Academy to assess the situation. Their deliberations resulted in the formation of a military junta that demanded Pérez Jiménez’s resignation.
Rómulo Betancourt
Rómulo Antonio Betancourt Bello
(Guatire, Miranda, Venezuela, February 22nd, 1908 – New York, USA, September 28th, 1981) was a Venezuelan politician, journalist, writer, and orator. He served as interim President of Venezuela from 1945 to 1948 and as constitutional President from 1959 to 1964.
Childhood and Youth
Rómulo Betancourt was born on February 22nd, 1908, in Guatire, Miranda state, to Luis Betancourt, a Canary Islander immigrant, and Virginia Bello Milano, a Venezuelan. He had two sisters, Teresa and Helena.
Political Baptism
In February 1928, the Federation of Students, led by Raúl Leoni, organized the Learners’ Week celebration to raise funds for the construction of the Student House.
First Exile
Betancourt remained in hiding for two months before escaping to Curaçao on June 6th. He dedicated his time to studying Latin American history, socialist thought, and the impact of imperialist penetration in Latin American countries. He also formalized his membership in the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD), a radical left-wing Marxist organization. After four months, he left the party following criticism of its communist leanings.
Return to Venezuela
Upon his arrival in Caracas, he immediately engaged in political activity. Congress had appointed Eleazar López Contreras as interim president and subsequently ratified him as president.
Second Exile
Betancourt’s second exile, lasting less than a year and a half, took place in Chile under the presidency of Pedro Aguirre Cerda, a figure he admired.
Second Return to Venezuela
On February 5th, he returned to Venezuela as López Contreras’ term ended. He had fulfilled the terms of his expulsion and promoted the symbolic candidacy of Rómulo Gallegos to oppose the ruling party represented by Isaías Medina Angarita, who would be elected by Congress in May of that year.
Ascension to Power
Rómulo Betancourt actively participated in the conspiracy against the Medina government and later led the movement that emerged from a secret pact between the army high command, primarily figures like Marcos Pérez Jiménez, Carlos Delgado Chalbaud, and Mario Vargas, and the leadership of Democratic Action.
Revolutionary Government Junta
The junta, as announced in Official Gazette number 21,841, aimed to fill the power vacuum created after the coup against President Medina Angarita. Its members agreed that they could not immediately run for the presidency at the end of their term.
Venezuela After the Betancourt Revolution
On February 15th, 1948, Betancourt transferred power to his party colleague, Rómulo Gallegos. This marked the first time in Venezuela that a president handed over the presidential sash to another elected by popular vote.
Third Exile
Betancourt’s third exile lasted nearly ten years. The coup against Gallegos initiated a decade of military dictatorship in Venezuela.
Presidential Campaign
Upon his return, he embarked on a national tour to rebuild the base and activism of Democratic Action, primarily among peasants, workers, and students.
Second Government
On January 25th, 1959, Betancourt, as President-elect, met with Fidel Castro, who visited the country for the January 23rd celebration commemorating the fall of the Pérez Jiménez dictatorship.
Political Aspects
Betancourt’s government faced one of the most challenging periods in Venezuela’s contemporary history, navigating the transition from a republic to a democracy.
Economic Aspects
His economic policies focused on economic independence and fostered industrial development.
Public Works
During Betancourt’s second term, significant investments were made in education. Over 3,000 schools and 200 secondary schools were built nationwide. School enrollment increased from 847,000 students in 1958 to 1.6 million in 1963, with over 90% of the student population attending school. Enrollment nearly doubled in just five years.
Destabilization Attempts
The government faced numerous challenges, including attacks, protests, general strikes, invasions by paramilitary groups, coup attempts, and even assassination attempts against President Betancourt.
Coup Attempts
During Rómulo Betancourt’s second term, three major coup attempts were led by military rebels: The Carupanazo, The Porteñazo, and The Barcelonazo.
Paramilitary Groups
Betancourt also faced opposition from extremist and armed groups. The PCV and MIR parties actively participated in coups and sabotage against the government, leading to the arrest of many of their members.
Assassination Attempt
Betancourt survived an assassination attempt during his presidency. He had also faced several assassination attempts during his third exile.
Betancourt Doctrine
During his inauguration speech before Congress, Betancourt outlined his political vision, proclaiming what became known as the Betancourt Doctrine (a term he rejected), stating:
Last Years
On December 1st, 1963, new presidential elections were held, with Raúl Leoni of Democratic Action emerging victorious. On March 11th, 1964, Betancourt handed over the presidency to his lifelong friend, Dr. Leoni. In his farewell address, Betancourt said: