Venezuelan Timeline

  • Military Coup

    Civilian-Military Coup overthrows Medina Angarita
    Exact date unknown
  • Period: to

    Romulo Betancourt

    Romulo Betancourt rules 1945-1947
  • Venezuelan Presidential Election

    Romulo Gallegos wins the Venezuelan Presidential Election that is considered to be the first free and fair election in Venezuela.
  • Coup d'Etat

    Venezuela experiences a coup d'Etat in which Romulo Gallegos is overthrown by Marcos Perez Jimerez and Carlos Delgado Chalbaud.
  • Dictator forced out

    Military Dictator Marcos Perez Jimenez is forced out.
  • Punto Fijo Pact

    Punto Fijo Pact is signed by the three main political parties of the time: Acción Democrática AD, Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente (COPEI) and Unión Republicana Democrática URD.It did not, however, include the Communist party.
  • Government Split

    The Revolutionary Left Movement party splits from Democratic Action
  • Election

    Rafeal Caldera wins election for 1968-1974, for the COPEI party.
    (Comité de Organización Política Electoral Independiente - Political Electoral Independent Organization Committee)
  • Election

    Carlos Andres Perez is elected President for Democratic Action, receiving 48.7% of the vote. The voting turnout hit 97%, a record that has not been achieved since in Venezuela.
    C.A.P ushers in an era of great economic wealth.
  • Oil Crisis

    OAPEC proclaims an oil embargo, increases in petroleum prices in other countries boosts the oil-exporting economy of Venezuela
  • Collapse

    Oil prices collapse in the 1980's, economy declines
  • Currency

    The Venezuelan government devalues the currency in order to face its financial obligations.
    Standard of living falls.
  • Riots

    The Caracazo Riots were the wave of protests, riots, looting, and ensuing massacre that occurred in the Venezuelan capital Caracas and surrounding towns.
    Up to 3,000 deaths reported, mostly at the hands of security forces. They were mainly rioting against free market reform and increases in gasoline prices.
  • Coups

    2 Coups are attempted
  • Impeachment

    The National Congress removed Pérez from office permanently after confirming accusations of corruption- embezzlement of 250 million bolivars belonging to a partida secreta (presidential discretionary fund).
  • Pardon

    President Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez pardons Coup leader Hugo Chavez.