Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl

Juan Pablo Rojas
President of Venezuela
In office 2 July 1888 – 19 March 1890
Preceded by	Hermógenes López
Succeeded by	Raimundo Andueza Palacio
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela
In office 26 January 1855 – 7 February 1855
President	Joaquín Herrera
In office 24 February 1869 – 31 July 1869
President	José Ruperto Monagas
In office 6 December 1869 – 27 January 1870
President	José Ruperto Monagas
Personal details
Born	26 November 1826 Caracas, Venezuela
Died	22 July 1905(1905-07-22) (aged 78) Caracas, Venezuela
Political party	Liberal Party
Spouse(s)	Josefa de la Concepción Báez
Signature

Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl (26 November 1826 – 22 July 1905) was President of Venezuela from 1888 to 1890. He was the first civilian president who was elected by constitutional procedures in 50 years, and the only one who could finish his term properly, until 74 years later.

Biography

Elected by Antonio Guzmán like his successor, Rojas tried to reconcile the followers of Guzmán and Joaquín Crespo, confronted at that time.

Contrary to the policy of Guzmán, Rojas authorized the creation of science faculties, churches, national schools in Maracaibo and Barquisimeto, brought French nuns to the country, helped the establishment of congregations, also built and remodeled many religious buildings. Inaugurated the submarine cable between La Guaira, the Antilles and Europe, the works of the painter Martín Tovar y Tovar at the Salón Elíptico (Elliptical Room) of the National Capitol. During his period, was published the book Great geographical, historical and statistics compilation of Venezuela authored by General Manuel Landaeta Rosales. The Rojas administration had to face an uprising led by Crespo. After the rebellion was crushed, Crespo had to go into exile. During the Rojas administration there were violent demonstrations against Guzmán in the capital and other regions of Venezuela. These events precipitated a break of the Rojas administration with Guzmán, who sought to continue ruling indirectly from Paris.

In 1888 Rojas founded the National History Academy. His two years in the presidency were marked by an economic bonanza, of which he took advantage to invest in public works. He died in Caracas in 1905, at the age of 78.

Personal life

Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl was married to María Josefa de la Concepción Báez, who served as First Lady of Venezuela from 1888 until 1890.

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  María Josefa de la Concepción Báez

See also

• List of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela
• Presidents of Venezuela

External links

• "J.P. Rojas Paul (Biography in Spanish) by Edgar C. Otálvora"