Venzuela

Political history

Venezuela gains independence

1811

Juan Vicente Gomez Comes to power

1908

Juan Vicente Gomez's rule

1908 - 1935

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

Civilian Coup

1945

Armed coup overthrows military government and establishes a civilian gov.

Civilian gov

1945 - 1948

Military Coup

1948

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

Military Gov

1948 - 1958

Coup - Democratic Action Party comes into power

1958

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

Democratic Rule

1958 - Present

Chavista movement emerges within the military

1982

Chavez Attempts Coup

1992

Colonel Hugo Chavez and supporters make two coup attempts. Some 120 people killed in suppression of coups, Col Chavez jailed for two years before being pardoned.

Chavez Elected President

1998

Hugo Chavez elected president amid disenchantment with established parties, launches 'Bolivarian Revolution' that brings in new constitution, socialist and populist economic and social policies funded by high oil prices, and increasingly vocal anti-US foreign policy

Hugo Chavez Regime

1999 - 2013

Failed coup against chavez

2002

Chavez wins referendum to stay in office

2004

Chavez abolishes term limits

2010

Death of Hugo Chavez

March 3, 2013

Economic

World Oil Crisis

1973

Amidst the world oil crisis Venezuela thrives as an alternative source of oil.

Fall in Oil Prices ushers in recession

1983

Fall in world oil prices generates unrest and cuts in welfare spending; Jaime Lusinchi (AD) elected president and signs pact involving government, trade unions and business.

neoliberalism!

1990 - 1999

Chavez tries to redistribute land and wealth

2001

President Chavez uses enabling act to pass 49 laws aimed at redistributing land and wealth. Concern grows in business and some labour circles that he is trying to concentrate economic and political power in the state, along Cuban lines.