GOMEZ Juan Vicente

(1857-1935)
Born in a poor Indian family in San Antonio (pc. Tachira). He came to power in 1908, overthrowing the dictator Cipriano Castro, and in 1910 became president. In 1913, two anti-government suppressed the rebellion, after which banned all political parties and trade unions. In 1914, Gomez declared itself a constitutional dictator, and subsequently confirmed its status as a decree in 1922 and the adoption of a new constitution in 1925. In 1929 was re-elected, but refused to take the presidency, preferring to govern as the supreme commander. In 1931, Gomez became president again. Long before the oil boom that has made Venezuela a rich country, Gomez reorganized and began to finance the payment of foreign debts left by his predecessor. Gomez died near Caracas on Dec. 17, 1935.