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Venezuela 1959 (13 febbraio) - 2000 (1 gennaio)   Cerca

Definizione

Romulo Betancourt's February 13, 1959 inauguration begins a period of democratic civilian rule in Venezuela. Under the Betancourt administration, the Democratic Action Party sets up a coalition government that works to modernize agriculture, develop domestic industry, improve the nation's health, and eliminate illiteracy. Under Betancourt's leadership, Venezuela breaks diplomatic relations with communist or dictator-led Latin American nations. Through land reforms, Betancourt helps return the nation to fiscal solvency. Those who succeed Betancourt will continue his policies of agrarian reform, increased farm production, improvement of education and social welfare benefits, expansion and diversification of industrial development, and progress toward local control of the petroleum industry. In the 1963 elections, the nation elects Raul Leoni, a Democratic Action candidate like his predecessor. Prosperity returns, but popular dissatisfaction and Leoni's inability to form a coalition government result in the election of the Christian Democrats' candidate, Rafael Caldera (1968). Caldera reestablishes ties with Cuba, the Soviet Union, and Latin-American military dictatorships. In addition, under Caldera's leadership, Venezuela takes control of foreign banks and the national gas industry. The Democratic Action Party regains presidential power in 1973 with the election of Carlos Andrés Pérez Rodriguez who nationalizes the iron ore and petroleum industries. An economic boom from oil resulting from the Arab-Israeli War (1973) ultimately produces economic stagnation that continues into the 1980s. During Pérez Rodriguez's presidency, Venezuelan relations with the United States begin to suffer. Dissatisfied with the Democratic Action Party, Venezuelans elect a Christian Democrat to office, but he is unable to successfully pull the country out of economic stagnation. The Democratic Action president of 1983 adopts austerity measures that also prove unsuccessful. In 1988, Carol Andrés Pérez returns to office. His popularity proves short-lived; riots break out in response to his 1989 austerity measures. Troops are called in to control the crowds and the looting. In February 1992 a coup is attempted but is blocked by forces loyal to Pérez. In 1965, Jewish Venezuelans establish the Federación de Asociaciones Israelitas de Venezuela as an umbrella organization affiliated with the World Jewish Congress. It is formed to protect the Jewish community from the antisemitism of the period. Despite this period of antisemitism Jews have not been singled out for oppression. Even so, Jews are not widely involved in politics or public administration. In 1970, Venezuela's Jewish population numbers approximately 15,000. (en-US)

Fonte

The Encyclopedia Americana. Danbury, Conn.: Grolier Inc., 1997. Vol. 27, p. 958

Termini più generici

• Venezuela 1945 (8 maggio) - 2000 (1 gennaio)