Betancourt, Rómulo

Betancourt, Rómulo (rō`mlō bĕtänkr`), 1908–81, Venezuelan political leader, president of Venezuela (1945–48, 1959–64). Following a stormy career as a leader of radical student groups, he founded (1935) the Oganización Venezolana, which later became the party Acción Democrática. In 1945, Betancourt, placed in power by a military coup, declared universal suffrage, instituted social reforms, and secured for Venezuela 50% of the profits reaped by oil companies. Forced into exile in 1948 when Marcos Pérez Jiménez overthrew the constitutionally elected Rómulo Gallegos, he returned (1958) after Pérez Jiménez was ousted, and was elected president. In spite of serious opposition from extremists and disaffected army units, he continued to advance a program of economic and educational reform. He was succeeded by Raúl Leoni. In 1973, Betancourt was awarded a lifetime senate seat.

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Betancourt, Rómulo

(born Feb. 22, 1908, Guatiré, Miranda, Venez.—died Sept. 28, 1981, New York, N.Y., U.S.) President of Venezuela (1945–48, 1959–64). As a youth he was active against the dictatorial regime of Juan Vincente Gómez (1857/64–1935). After a brief period in the Communist Party, he turned against it and helped found the left-wing anticommunist party Acción Democrática, which came to power in 1945 after a coup. As provisional president, he pursued a policy of moderate social reform before resigning to permit election of a successor. Elected to a second term in 1959, he steered a middle course between pro-Cuban communists and frightened conservatives, initiating an ambitious public-works program and fostering industrial development, mostly financed by Venezuela's vast oil exports. He retired in 1964.