José Tadeo Monagas

Who was José Tadeo Monagas?

José Tadeo Monagas Burgos was President of Venezuela 1847–1851 and 1855–1858, and a hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence. Monagas was one of the most unpopular presidents in Venezuelan history, distinguished by his nepotist and favoritism-bound policies, his disregard for laws passed by Congress when he disagreed with them, and the amount of power he attributed to the Executive branch. During his second term, he arranged for a new Constitution which would grant him further powers. The administration he set up would eventually lead to a constitutional crisis.

As a member of the Liberal Party, he abolished capital punishment for political crimes. José Tadeo Monagas also supported his brother José Gregorio for the presidency.

José Tadeo Monagas and his brother José Gregorio Monagas combined rule 1847-1858 is commonly referred to as the Monagas Dynasty or "Monagato". It ended with the overthrow of José Tadeo at the hands of Julián Castro and his allies during José Tadeo's second term.