Jóvito Villalba
| Jóvito Villalba | |
|---|---|
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| Signers of Punto Fijo Pact, from left to Right: Rafael Caldera, Jóvito Villalba and Rómulo Betancourt | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 23, 1908 Pampatar, Nueva Esparta |
| Died | July 8, 1989 (aged 81) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Spouse(s) | Elsa Vera Fortique (Div.) Ismenia Villalba |
| Profession | lawyer, politician |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Signature |  |
Jóvito Villalba Gutiérrez (March 23, 1908 - July 8, 1989), was a Venezuelan lawyer and politician, member of the Generation of 1928, founder of the party URD (Democratic Republican Union) and signer of the Punto Fijo Pact.
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[edit] Background
Villalba was born in 1908, to Ángela Gutiérrez and Jóvito Villalba. In 1921, he was accepted at the Federal School of La Asunción, where he studied secondary education. After that, he moved to Caracas, where he continued his studies at the Liceo Caracas, headed by Rómulo Gallegos.
[edit] Career
[edit] Early career (1926 - 1945)
In 1926 he began his career as lawyer at the Central University of Venezuela. From that, participates at numerous political activities, becoming from his speech in the National Pantheon in 1928, against the dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez, an important political figure. After that, on February 13, 1928, was imprisoned at El Cuño jail. During his first exile, resides in Mexico, where forms part of the Venezuelan Revolutionary Party. Returns to his country on April 7, 1928, participating in a coup against Gómez. After its failure, was imprisoned first in La Rotunda, and at a Fortress in Puerto Cabello, staying six years devoted to the study of law and languages learning.
The death of Juan Vicente Gómez in 1935, motivates Villalba's return to Venezuela. Participating in the events of February 14, 1936, a demonstration of academics, professionals and workers protesting against the economic measures and policies of President Eleazar López Contreras. Following these protests, Villalba interview with López Contreras, who accepted his requests. From that, forms along with Rómulo Betancourt and Rodolfo Quintero, the clandestinely Partido Democrático Nacional (National Democratic Party). After that, is expelled from Venezuela. In 1937 married with Elsa Vera Fortique, divorcing in 1941. Exiles in Mexico and other Latin American countries, returning to continue his law studies at the Central University of Venezuela, graduating in 1943. The same year, was elected as senator for Nueva Esparta.
[edit] Early years of URD (1945 - 1958)
In 1945, by initiative of Elías Toro, is created in Caracas the party Unión Republicana Democrática (URD). Being Villalba its secretary general and becoming a spokesman for the idea of creating a government of national integration. Between 1945 to 1947, dedicates at the promotion and development of his party, and being one of the main opponents of the government.
The military junta, that overthrew Rómulo Gallegos in 1948, commissioned Villalba and Rafael Caldera the drafting of an electoral statute in 1949. The elections for deputies for a National Constituent Assembly take place on November 30, 1952, winning URD the majority of seats at the Assembly, being the elections sabotaged by the government of Marcos Pérez Jiménez, disowning the results on December 2. After this, Villalba is forced to leave the country. Exiles with his family in the United States, Trinidad and Mexico.
[edit] Democratic era (1958 - 1989)
Returning on January 23, 1958, after the overthrown of Pérez Jiménez, signing on October 31, with Rafael Caldera of COPEI and Rómulo Betancourt of Acción Democrática, the Punto Fijo Pact, for the acceptance of the 1958 presidential elections, and the preservation of the rising democratic regime.
Despite the original intentions, URD leaves the pact, by disagreements in political and economic order. Thereafter, Villalba fiercely opposed to the government of Rómulo Betancourt, until the 1963 elections, in which competes as presidential candidate, being defeated by Raúl Leoni. He competes too in the 1973 election. In subsequent years, he supports other presidential candidates, including Luis Herrera Campins in 1978, and Jaime Lusinchi in 1983, who were elected as president. He served as professor of constitutional law at the Faculty of Law, sociology in the School of Economics and Political Ideas in the School of Journalism, all at the Central University of Venezuela.
Jóvito Villalba died in Caracas, on July 8, 1989, being buried at his hometown, was married with his niece Ismenia Villalba.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- (Spanish) Biography at Venezuelatuya.com
- (Spanish) Biography of the José Guillermo Carrillo Foundation
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Wolfgang Larrazábal (1958) |
URD presidential candidate 1963 (lost) |
Succeeded by Miguel Ángel Burelli Rivas (1968) |
