Pérez Jiménez, Marcos

Pérez Jiménez, Marcos (mär`kōs pā`rās hēmā`nās), 1914–2001, president of Venezuela (1952–58). As an army captain he took part in the coup that installed (1945) the Democratic Action party in power, but he subsequently objected to its leftist reforms and was a member of the three-man junta that overthrew President Rómulo Gallegos in 1948. After one of the junta members was mysteriously killed, he emerged (1952) as self-appointed president. He imposed a corrupt dictatorship marked by virulent anti-Communism and brutal repression, and spent money lavishly on highways and tourist attractions, especially in Caracas. He was ousted by a popular revolt in Jan., 1958. He lived in exile in Miami, Fla., until 1963, when he was extradited to Venezuela on charges of embezzling some $200 million during his presidential tenure. He was imprisoned (1963–68) and after his release lived in exile in Spain.

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Pérez Jiménez, Marcos

(born April 25, 1914, Michelena, Venez.—died Sept. 20, 2001, Madrid, Spain) Soldier and president of Venezuela (1953–58). He graduated from the Venezuelan Military Academy and in 1945 and 1948 participated in coups d'état. Appointed to the presidency by the military and elected in 1953 by the constituent assembly, which he controlled, he embarked on a program of vast public works. He and his associates received commissions on every project. His regime was marked by extravagance, corruption, police oppression, unemployment, and high inflation. He was forced out of office in 1958 and later jailed for embezzling government funds. His repeated attempts to reenter political life were thwarted.