Marcos Pérez Jiménez

Who was Marcos Pérez Jiménez?

Marcos Evangelista Pérez Jiménez was a Venezuelan military and general officer of the Army of Venezuela and the President of Venezuela from 1952 to 1958.

His ruling period is characterized by marked improvement in development, with the rise of oil prices facilitating many public works achievements. Political and economic stability, along with the completion of ambitious public works and the rapid development of industries such as hydroelectricity, mining, and steel were achieved during this period as well. Pérez Jiménez was also responsible for the modernization of the military and the nation enjoyed a period of high prosperity and social tranquility. However, the government's National Security was extremely repressive against critics of the regime and ruthlessly hunted down and imprisoned those who opposed the dictatorship.

Following massive public demonstrations in support for a democratic reform to take place in the government, Perez was deposed in a coup perpetrated by disgruntled sectors within the Armed Forces of Venezuela on January 23, 1958. Perez was then exiled to Dominican Republic, and afterwards went on to settle in Spain under the Franco regime's protection.