Pérez Rodriguez, Carlos Andrés (1922– )

Venezuelan politician and president 1974–79 and 1989–93. During his first term, he governed the nation at a time of massive economic growth due to the wealth generated by the export of oil. He set about on a programme of state nationalization of the iron and steel industries in 1975, and oil in 1976 and actively sought to ameliorate relations with Venezuela's geographic neighbours. His second term in office was more tumultuous, with increasing discontent and public unrest over the government's free-market economic policy ending in his suspension from office on charges of inappropriate practices with public funds. An attempted coup took place in 1992, the leader of which, Hugo Chávez, was elected to the presidency in 1998.

Pérez held the position of leader of the Accíon Democrática party (AD; Democratic Action Party). Like his two predecessors, presidents Rául Leoni and Rafael Caldera, his first term enjoyed prosperity and massive increases in national oil revenues due to rising national oil production and the increase in worldwide oil prices as a result of the Arab–Israeli War (when the Arab nations embargoed oil). Massive government spending programmes were initiated, but worldwide recession in the latter half of the 1970s began to threaten the economic stability of the country and Pérez's administration was seen to be weakened.