Gómez, Juan Vicente

Gómez, Juan Vicente (1857-1935), Venezuelan statesman, dictator, and president of Venezuela (1908-1935) who played a prominent role in the revolution that brought the Venezuelan military leader Cipriano Castro to power in 1899. He was born in San Antonio de Táchira. When Castro was elected president in 1902, Gómez was made vice-president. After growing opposition forced Castro into exile, Gómez became provisional president in 1908. From that time until his death he ruled as the absolute dictator of Venezuela, and from 1915 was also commander in chief of the army. Gómez occupied the presidency from 1910 until 1935, except for two intervening periods. From 1915 to 1922 Victorino Márquez Bustillos was provisional president, and from 1929 to 1931, Juan Bautista Pérez held the office; however, both were dominated by Gómez. With the help of foreign investment he built extensive railways, highways, and other public works. The discovery (1918) and exploitation of rich petroleum reserves provided Venezuela with an enormous source of wealth and enabled Gómez to pay off the foreign debt, making him popular abroad. At home, however, he neglected agriculture, industry, and social and educational improvements, with the result that the people of Venezuela suffered great hardship under his rule.