GÓMez, Juan Vicente

(born July 24, 1857, San Antonio de Táchira, Venez.—died Dec. 17, 1935, Maracay) dictator of Venezuela from 1908 until 1935, reputed to have been the wealthiest man in South America.

Although a nearly full-blooded Indian with almost no formal education, Gómez became a figure of local prominence in the Andean region. Joining the private army of Cipriano Castro in 1899, he was appointed vice president when Castro captured Caracas and the government. In 1908, when Castro was recuperating from illness in Europe, Gómez seized power and ruled either as president or through puppet figures until his death.

Under Gómez, Venezuela achieved a measure of independence and economic progress. After oil was discovered near Lake Maracaibo in 1914, Gómez bargained shrewdly with the United States, British, and Dutch petroleum interests for the benefit of Venezuela. He continued to maintain good relations with foreign nations and managed to eliminate all foreign indebtedness. He exercised control over the local caudillos (“bosses”) and the Roman Catholic church, embarked on a program of public works, and organized an efficient administration.

All the while, however, he added to his legendary fortune, acquiring farms, businesses, and various industries. While he was growing richer, he controlled the nation through force and terror. His army was the best equipped in South America, and his spies and agents were everywhere. When he died, the nation was left without a single political figure untainted by association with Gómez.