Guzman Blanco, ANTONIO

Guzman Blanco, ANTONIO, was born in Caracas in 1830, was banished for his share in political disturbances, and, after taking a prominent part in two invasions, became vice-president of Venezuela in 1863. Driven from office in 1868, he headed a revolution which restored him to power in 1870, and for many years he was virtual dictator of the country; other men were occasionally permitted to fill the position of president, but they were merely figure-heads. In 1889, however, popular discontent was aggravated by reports of corrupt contracts made in Paris; and Blanco, who was then acting as envoy to all the European powers, was practically deposed by congress, which refused to accept the resignation of his former protégé and present rival, Dr Rojas Paul. For Guzman Blanco state, see CURA (CIUDAD DE).