Antonio Ignacio Velasco Garcia Cleric
Ignacio Antonio Velasco Garcia, S.D.B. (January 17, 1929, Acarigua, Venezuela - July 6, 2003) was a cardinal and the Archbishop of Caracas. He received that post on 27 May 1995, and held it until his death. He was known for his criticisms of Venezeulan President Hugo Chávez. During the 2002 Venezuelan coup d'état attempt, Cardinal Velasco was the first of 400 signatories to sign the Carmona Decree that attempted unilaterally to abolish the recently-won Venezuelan democracy on behalf of well-financed business interests. After Velasco's death, Chávez drew fire for his controversial statement that the Cardinal was "burning in hell".
Personal facts
| Birth date | January 17, 1929 |
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| Date of death | July 06, 2003 |