Victorino Márquez Bustillos

Infobox_President | name=Victorino Márquez Bustillos
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order=39th President of Venezuela
term_start=April 19, 1914
term_end=1922
predecessor=José Gil Fortoul
successor=Juan Vicente Gómez
birth_date=1858
birth_place=Guanare, Portuguesa state
death_date=death date|1941|1|10|mf=y
death_place= Caracas, Venezuela
spouse=Enriqueta Iragorry Briceño

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Victorino Márquez Bustillos (1858 - 1941), was Venezuelan lawyer and politician, provisional President of Venezuela between 1914–1922. Although was elected by Congress, Juan Vicente Gómez, remained the real power behind the presidency.

Life and career

Márquez Bustillos was born in Guanare, Portuguesa state, in 1858, were his parents Victorino Márquez and Virginia Bustillos, was married to "Enriqueta Iragorry Briceño". Initiated his career in Trujillo, under the direction of the caudillos Juan Bautista Araujo and Leopoldo Bautista. Also, was editor in chief of the daily "El Trujillano" between 1877 and 1887, and a delegate for Andes state in 1890. In 1892, in spite of being the provisional president of that state, and second cousin of Raimundo Andueza, he united to the "Revolución Legalista" (Legalist Revolution) commanded by Joaquín Crespo, who in 1893 promotes him as brigadier general.

From 1902 to 1904, he evolves as the secretary of government of Trujillo state, in addition of being delegate for the Trujillo district in the Assembly of that state between 1904 and 1906, and secretary of government of Zulia state in 1909. In 1910, as provisional president of the Trujillo state, distanced from Leopoldo Bautista, who refused to ratify Bustillos in that position. Later, becomes senator for Trujillo state (1910–1914), governor of the Federal District (Caracas) (1911–1912) and Minister of Army (1913–1914). In April, 1914, Juan Vicente Gómez is elected by the Congress as President of Venezuela for the period 1915–1922, but decides not to assume the Presidency, remaining in Maracay as Commander-in-Chief of the army. Before these circumstances, Márquez, is designated as provisional president for a seven years period.

As a result of this, Venezuela experienced an exceptional situation, having 2 presidents: Victorino Márquez, the provisional president who governs at Miraflores Palace and Juan Vicente Gómez, the elected president, who resided in Maracay. During this time Márquez would inform Gómez about all the details of the administration and subordinate any decision to him. The permanence of Márquez in the provisional presidency brought intrigues against him during Gómez's health problems in 1921. In 1924 is considered as diplomat for Vatican City, but personal problems not let him presenting credentials. In 1935, is designated secretary of president Eleazar López Contreras, but before the pressure of "antigomecistas" (oppositors to Gómez dictature), resigned in a few months. In 1918 was incorporated as a member of the Academy of Political Sciences.

Victorino Márquez died in Caracas on January 10, 1941.

See also

*Venezuela
*Presidents of Venezuela