born Feb. 22, 1908, Guatiré, Miranda, Venez.
died Sept. 28, 1981, New York, N.Y., U.S.
President of Venezuela (194548, 195964).
As a youth he was active against the dictatorial regime of Juan Vincente Gómez (1857/641935). 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.