Venezuelan History: Key Figures and Political Shifts

Venezuelan Political History: Key Figures

Cipriano Castro's Rise to Power

Cipriano Castro, a democratic president in the Andean region, is considered a significant figure in Venezuelan history.

The Junta After Medina Angarita's Coup

Following the coup that ousted President Medina Angarita, a government board was formed. Rómulo Betancourt was appointed Chairman of the Revolutionary Government Junta.

Castro's Suppression of Armed Groups

Cipriano Castro effectively countered armed groups due to the army's superior military strategies and modern arsenal, which proved more effective than traditional guerrilla tactics.

Political Conflicts (1830-1839)

In the early days of the new republic, President José Antonio Páez not only retained the best land expropriated from the Spanish but also seized land given to soldiers of the Liberator for their service to the nation. Despite promises to divide the properties of Apure among them, they were not exempted from contributions.

As Supreme Commander of the Army, appointed by the head of the Presidency, Páez violently suppressed Farfán's forces, eliminating former colleagues. Colonial estates largely remained in the hands of Páez, the Monagas, and other independence leaders, who became the country's wealthiest landowners. Páez also led the separation of Venezuela from Colombia.

Juan Vicente Gómez: Characteristics and Policies

Juan Vicente Gómez continued the elimination of caudillos, a process initiated during Guzmán Blanco's era. This was achieved through effective measures in modernizing the army and its equipment. Gómez consolidated military power, preventing caudillos from challenging his authority.

The army's modernization, starting around 1911, involved reorganizing the Military Academy of Caracas, establishing a military career path, and gradually replacing old, improvised leaders. Foreign military instructors were brought in, and modern weaponry was acquired. In the 1920s, a warplane school was established in Maracay, with French instructors and aircraft. The first conscription law was enacted in 1926.

The introduction of automobiles led to a road construction policy, with roads of 6 to 7 meters wide being built, some later paved with macadam and asphalt. These included the Caracas-La Guaira highway, the trans-Andean highway from Caracas to the Colombian border, and roads from Caracas to Los Teques, Caracas to Maracay, Maracay to the coast, etc.

Andueza Palacio's Presidency (1890-1892)

During Andueza Palacio's term (1890-1892), an award was given to Venezuela regarding its borders with Colombia, which had been subject to Spanish arbitration since 1881.