Barrios, Gonzalo (1902–1993)

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Barrios, Gonzalo (1902–1993)

Gonzalo Barrios (b. 1902; d. 30 May 1993), Venezuelan politician. The son of a well-to-do family from Portuguesa State, Barrios studied law at the Central University of Venezuela, where he was a prominent member of the Generation of 1928. After returning from a European exile in 1936, he became a founder of the Venezuelan Organization (Organización Venezolana—ORVE), the National Democratic Party (Partido Democrático Nacional—PDN), and Democratic Action (Acción Democrática—AD). During the AD trienio (1945–1948) he served as a member of the revolutionary junta, secretary of the presidency, and governor of the Federal District. After 1958 he held a series of important positions in AD (including secretary-general) and in government (minister of the interior, senator). After running as AD's unsuccessful presidential candidate in 1968, he continued to play an active role in party and national affairs. He died in 1993 in Caracas.

See alsoVenezuela, Political Parties: Democratic Action (AD) .

BIBLIOGRAPHY

John D. Martz, Acción Democrática: Evolution of a Modern Political Party in Venezuela (1966).

Robert J. Alexander, ed., Biographical Dictionary of Latin American and Caribbean Political Leaders (1988).

Additional Bibliography

Sant Ros, José. Los verdaderos golpistas. Venezuela: Kariña Editores, 1998.

                                   Winfield J. Burggraaff

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