Isaías Medina Angarita

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Isaías Medina Angarita
Isaías Medina Angarita

In office
April 28, 1941 – October 18, 1945
Preceded by Eleazar López Contreras
Succeeded by Rómulo Betancourt

Born July 6, 1897
San Cristóbal, Venezuela
Died September 15, 1953
Caracas, Venezuela
Political party Venezuelan Democratic Party
Spouse Irma Felizola

Isaías Medina Angarita (July 6, 1897 in San Cristóbal, VenezuelaSeptember 15, 1953 in Caracas) was a Venezuelan military and political leader, president of Venezuela from 1941 until 1945.

Medina followed the path of his predecessor Eleazar López Contreras, and ruled the country's democratic transition process. He founded the Venezuelan Democratic Party in 1943. However, some in the Army considered him too liberal while other political enemies accused him of being too conservative, and both sides produced a putsch on October 18, 1945.

[edit] Early life and career

Son of the coriano general Jose Rosendo Medina and Alejandrina Angarita García. He made his studies of primary and baccalaureate in his native city and at the age of 15 was transferred to Caracas to register in the Military school in March 9, 1912, in which he would withdraw with the second lieutenant degree in July 23, 1914. That same year directed the third squad of the third company and the second battalion of the infantry regiment Piar number 6, brigade number 3. Later, in February of 1919 he returns to the Military school like commander of the company of cadets and professor of this institution. Being lieutenant colonel in January 15, 1927, one also evolves like professor of Castilian in the School of Aspirings to Officials and of physical education in the Federal Schools of Caracas, the Normal School of Men and the grammar school Andrés Bello, these educational tasks, are going away to relate him with other professors and students, being part of groups of new ideas and new political tendencies, being even in favor of the university autonomy. Later, he narrows his relation with the intellectual circles being united to the Athens Group and the Club of the Seven. On the other hand, during this time was head of the Military Direction of the War and Navy Ministry, is there where he initiated his friendship with Eleazar López Contreras. In 1930 was member of the Commission of Military and Naval regulationses, was designated in 1931 temporary assistant of the Headquarters of the General Staff and from the July 15, 1931, was head of the Cabinet and secretary of the War and Navy Ministry, position that carried out until July 12, 1935. Ascended to the colonel degree, he is named by executive decree minister of War and Navy, in March 1, 1936 and Brigadier general in July 5, 1940.

[edit] The President Medina

Medina became a candidate to the presidency of Venezuela. Later, in the elections conducted by the National Congress in April 28, 1941, Isaías Medina Angarita is elect for the first Magistrature, with 120 votes, against 13 obtained by his closest opponent, Rómulo Gallegos. In April 30, 1941, he married Irma Felizola, and in May 5 he assumed the Presidency of the Republic. For this moment, Venezuela had 3.870.771 inhabitants and Caracas 269,000, and a national budget of Bs. 300.000.000. As far as the characteristics of Medina Angarita tying the man to the policy and Head of State, what we have was a civilist military man who respected human rights and freedom of expression, for he allowed the free activity of the political parties, promoted constitutional reforms which granted for the first time the vote to women, instituted the direct election of deputies and allowed the legalization of the Venezuelan Communist Party. However, the non implementation of universal, direct and secret suffrage is considered a serious mistake, for it was the main cause used to justify his fall. After being overthrown in October 18, 1945, by a civic-military blow, he was arrested and expelled from the country.

[edit] Last Years

In May 8, 1952, an accident of the cerebral artery appeared to him average, hospitalizing in the Doctor's Hospital of New York, city where he passed his exile. When the return to Caracas was allowed, he had an irreversible sequel of his disease, passing away in September 15, 1953 as a result of the rupture of an abdominal aneurism.


The Presidential Army Ensign of Venezuela.      Presidents of Venezuela      The Coat of Arms of Venezuela.
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