Raúl Leoni

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53rd President of Venezuela
Raúl Leoni

In office March 13, 1964 – March 11, 1969
Preceded by	Rómulo Betancourt
Succeeded by	Rafael Caldera
Senator for life
In office March 11, 1969 – July 5, 1972

Born	April 26, 1905 (1905-04-26) El Manteco, Bolívar state, Venezuela
Died	July 5, 1972 (aged 67) New York City, USA
Political party	Acción Democrática
Spouse	Carmen América Fernández Alcalá (Menca de Leoni)
Religion	Roman Catholic
Signature
Website	Raúl Leoni Foundation

Raúl Leoni Otero (April 24, 1905 - July 5, 1972) was President of Venezuela from 1963 until 1968. 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. Nevertheless, one of the pillars of that consolidation, 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 of 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.

[edit] Presidency

Leoni took control of the presidency on March 13, 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 March 11, 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.

[edit] References

Much of the content of this article comes from the equivalent Spanish-language wikipedia article. The following references are cited by that Spanish-language article:
Fundación Polar