GUZMAN BLANCO, ANTONIO Vene zuelan soldier and statesman, was born in February 1829, in Caracas, Venezuela, where his father, Antonio Leocardio Guzman, had held important offices in the Governments of Bolivar and Paez. Guzman Blanco received the degree of licenciate of juris prudence in the university, and afterwards travelled in the United States, where he represented his country in several capacities, notably as secretary to the Venezuelan legation in Washington. In 18S9 he returned to Venezuela to take part in a revolution under Gen. Falcon which was finally successful in 1863. Under the new Government he was vice president, minister of the treasury and minister for foreign affairs. During the period from 1863 to 1868 he acted several times as president ad interim, as commander of the army, and as special finance commissioner to Europe, and displayed in each capacity extraordinary energy and ability. In 1868, while he was in Europe, the Falcon Government was overthrown. In Feb. 187o, he headed a counter revolt, set up a dictatorship (April 187o) and after more than two years of civil war, was elected constitutional president on Feb. 20, 1873. Re-elected in 188o, 1882 and 1886, though frequently away, he retained absolute control of the Government until 1888.
Guzman Blanco's rule was arbitrary, his policy was corrupt and his methods were harsh, but under his regime, Venezuela experienced a renaissance. He reorganized the Government, as serted the national prestige, enforced security of life and prop erty, placed the finances on a sound footing, broke the power of the church, established primary education, sponsored immigra tion, constructed railways and roads and spent immense sums on public works. A revolt broke out, however, against him in the capital in 1889, during the presidency of Rojas-Paul. Guzman Blanco was in Europe, the Government repudiated his authority and the army deserted him. He never returned to Venezuela, and on July 3o, 1899, died in Paris.
No authoritative life of Guzman Blanco has yet appeared but inter esting chapters on the man and his career will be found in: W. E. Curtis' Venezuela (New York, 1896) ; and Alfred Deberle's The History of South America (New York, 1899). (W'V. B. P.)