Background
Leoni was born in El Manteco, Bolívar State, son of a mason born in Corsica.
lawyer President of Venezuela senator for life
Leoni was born in El Manteco, Bolívar State, son of a mason born in Corsica.
He graduated at the Central University of Venezuela in Caracas as a lawyer
One of the pillars of a political consolidation in Venezuela, the Pacto de Punto Fijo, was underestimated by Leoni, since in his opinion it reduced the "coherence and organization of the regime". Later, in November 1964, Leoni initiated conversations with leaders of the involved parties to rescue the spirit of the pact. A new cabinet was formed, but it lasted for only 16 months.
During his government, Leoni carried out important structural projects in Venezuela, specifically the development of heavy industry in Guayana (hydroelectric, iron and steel), inauguration of the Bank of the Workers, and construction of road infrastructure (highways, freeways, and bridges – the most important of which crossed the Orinoco).
Important changes to labor and social programs also occurred. Unions gained force and the Social Security law was modified.
Leoni made an attempt at reforming tax structure, but was restrained by a coalition of left and right that openly served the interests of oil companies. In 1967 the Invasion of Machurucuto happened during the presidency where 12 guerrillas attempted to help Venezuelan guerrillas in the Venezuelan Andes.
Also, in this same period Leoni signed the Cartagena Agreement (precursor to the Andean Community trade bloc) in Bogotá between Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, Perú and Ecuador.
During Leoni"s presidency the conflict with the leftist guerrilla movement Armed Forces for National Liberation (FALN) intensified. In 1967 he suspended constitutional guarantees. This transfer definitively instituted the alternation of power between the important parties through the end of the 20th century in Venezuela.
Raúl Leoni"s cabinet
Leoni died on 5 July 1972 when he was 67 years old, at the Cornell Medical Center in New York City, where he was recovering from medical treatment after suffering a hemorrhage.
Strictly, the pact mandated that the composition of the executive cabinet be limited to representatives of three of the more important political parties: Acción Democrática (AD), COPEI and Unión Republicana Democrática (URD).
He was a member of the Generation of 1928 and a charter member of the Acción Democrática party, and the first Labor minister of Venezuela (during El Trienio Adeco, 1945-1948). He was a member of the Generation of 1928, and the first Labor minister of Venezuela (during El Trienio Adeco, 1945-1948). Leoni took control of the presidency on 13 March 1964, succeeding Rómulo Betancourt.
Both were members of the Acción Democrática.
Leoni initially formed a cabinet with a few members of his party and a good number of independents. On 11 March 1969, Leoni transferred power to Rafael Caldera, member of the Christian Democratic Party COPEI and signatory of the Pacto de Punto Fijo.