Rafael Caldera
Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez (Spanish pronunciation: [rafaˈel anˈtonjo kalˈdeɾa roˈðɾiɣes] ⓘ; 24 January 1916 – 24 December 2009), twice elected the president of Venezuela, served for two five-year terms (1969–1974 and 1994–1999), becoming the longest serving democratically elected leader to govern the country in the twentieth century. His first term marked the first peaceful transfer of power to the opposition in Venezuela's history.
Rafael Caldera | |
|---|---|
Caldera in 1979 | |
| President of Venezuela | |
| In office 2 February 1994 – 2 February 1999 | |
| Preceded by | Ramón José Velásquez |
| Succeeded by | Hugo Chávez |
| In office 11 March 1969 – 11 March 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Raúl Leoni |
| Succeeded by | Carlos Andrés Pérez |
| Senator for Life | |
| In office 11 March 1974 – 2 February 1994 | |
| In office 2 February 1999 – 20 December 1999 | |
| President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Congress of Venezuela | |
| In office 1959–1962 | |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Vicente Ledezma |
| Solicitor General of Venezuela | |
| In office 26 October 1945 – 13 April 1946 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez 24 January 1916 San Felipe, Venezuela |
| Died | 24 December 2009 (aged 93) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Resting place | East Cemetery (Venezuela) |
| Political party | COPEI (1946–1993) National Convergence (1993–2009) |
| Spouse | Alicia Pietri Montemayor |
| Children | 6 |
| Alma mater | Central University of Venezuela |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Signature | |
| Website | Official website |
Widely acknowledged as one of the founders of Venezuela's democratic system, one of the main architects of the 1961 Constitution, and a pioneer of the Christian Democratic movement in Latin America, Caldera helped forge an unprecedented period of civilian democratic rule in a country beleaguered by a history of political violence and military caudillos.
His leadership established Venezuela's reputation as one of the more stable democracies in Latin America during the second half of the twentieth century.
After graduating with a degree in law and political science from Central University of Venezuela in 1939, Caldera embarked on a 70-year-long career that combined political, intellectual and academic activities.