Venezuela

Christopher Comumbus

1498

Christopher Columbus and Alonso de Ojeda visit Venezuela, which is inhabited by Carib, Arawak and Chibcha peoples.

Spanish Colonization

1521

Spanish colonization begins on the north-east coast.

Rebellion

1749

First rebellion against Spanish colonial rule.

Advantage

1810

Venezuelans take advantage of Napoleon's invasion of Spain to declare independence.

Venezuela

1829

Venezuela secedes from Gran Colombia.

Antonio Guzman

1870

Ruler Antonio Guzman Blanco attracts foreign investment, modernises infrastructure and develops agriculture and education.

Oil

1908

Dictator Juan Vicente Gomez governs at time when Venezuela becomes world's largest oil exporter.

Government

1945

Coup establishes civilian government after decades of military rule.

Overthrown

1948

President Romulo Gallegos, Venezuela's first democratically-elected leader, overthrown within eight months in military coup led by Marcos Perez Jimenez.

Democratic Rule

1958

Admiral Wolfgang Larrazabal ousts Marcos Perez Jimenez; leftist Romulo Betancourt of the Democratic Action Party (AD) wins presidential election.