Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez (; 24 January 1916 – 24 December 2009), twice elected President of Venezuela, served for two five-year terms (1969–1974 and 1994–1999), becoming the longest serving democratically elected leader to govern the country in the twentieth century.
Widely acknowledged as one of the founders of Venezuela’s democratic system, the main architect of the 1961 Constitution, and a pioneer of the Christian Democratic movement in Latin America, Caldera helped forge an unprecedented period of civilian democratic rule in a country beleaguered by a history of political violence and military caudillos.
His leadership established Venezuela’s reputation as one of the more stable democracies in Latin America during the second half of the twentieth century.
After graduating with a degree in law and political science from Central University of Venezuela in 1939, Caldera embarked on a 70-year long career that combined political, intellectual and academic activities.
References
Other websites
Rafael Caldera — Official biography. Rafael Caldera — Biography from National Convergence webpage. Speeches and Biography Extended bio by CIDOB Foundation