Isaías Medina Angarita

Isaías Medina Angarita ( born July 6, 1897 in San Cristóbal, † September 15, 1953 in Caracas ) was a politician, officer and president of Venezuela from 1941 to 1945.

Medina followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Eleazar López Contreras and continued the democratic transformation of the country; so he founded the Partido Democrático 1943 Venezolano (PDV; German: Democratic Party of Venezuela ). He was overthrown on 18 October 1945 by a military - civilian coup (in which he accused the military his liberality and the Civilian his conservatism ).

Early years and career

His parents are the General José Rosendo Medina Angarita and Alejandrina García. After his education in his native town he pulled 15 -year-old to Caracas, where he entered a military school. He graduated at July 23, 1914 and entered as a second lieutenant in the infantry regiment Piar a No. 6.

In February 1919, he returned as professor back to the military school and was later ( even as a first lieutenant ) also a professor in the school of cadets in the Federal School of Caracas. These teaching activities brought him into contact with other professors and students who him new ideas and political leanings (such as the autonomy of the universities) made ​​accessible. Later he expanded his contacts with intellectuals and joined the "Group Athens" and the "Club of the sieves".

At the same time he also rose in the military hierarchy and became head of the military leadership of the War and Navy Ministry ( dates from this time his friendship with Eleazar López Contreras ), and finally in 1930 a member of the Commission of the military and naval regulation and, in 1931, first assistant in headquarters of the General Staff, and then Chef de Cabinet and Secretary to the War and Navy Ministry. On 12 July 1935, he was ( as a colonel ) War and Navy Minister and on July 5, 1940 Brigadier General.

Presidency

In the presidential election of 28 April 1941, he won 120 votes ( the next candidate, Rómulo Gallegos, was only 13) and was appointed on 5 May ( a week after his wedding) president.

During his reign, he respected the human rights and the right to freedom of expression ( and allowed the establishment of the social democratic Acción Democrática (AD ) or legalized the communist Partido Comunista de Venezuela) and changed the constitution so that women could also choose (albeit only at the community level ).

The non- enactments of a general, direct and secret suffrage was taken on October 18 as a reason for a military - civilian coup against him. He was arrested and expelled from the country.

Last years

Medina settled in New York. After his disease (damage to the brain artery) on May 18, 1952 his return to Venezuela was allowed. He died on September 15, 1953 in Caracas.