Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl President

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.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.