Francisco Linares Alcántara


Francisco de Paula Linares Alcántara was President of Venezuela and a member of the Liberal Party of Venezuela.

Personal life

Francisco Linares Alcántara was born on April 13, 1825 in Turmero, Aragua to General Francisco de Paula Alcántara and Trinidad Linares. His father was one of the heroes of the Venezuelan War of Independence.
Francisco Linares Alcántara later married to Belén Esteves Yánes, who served as First Lady of Venezuela from 1877–1878.

Career

Francisco Linares Alcántara began his career as a soldier in 1846 and fought during the insurrections carried out by Ezequiel Zamora and Francisco Rangel. Due to the political instability in Venezuela from 1847 to 1858, Alcántara also fought to defend state institutions during the administrations of Jose Tadeo Monagas and Jose Gregorio Monagas. By 1854, he became a deputy to the National Congress from the state of Aragua before fighting again during the Federal War and along with Antonio Guzman Blanco for the Liberal cause between 1868 and 1870.
Alcántara was elected president on February 1877 and his administration became known for its liberal policies such as more autonomy given to the states, political amnesties, and increased freedom of the press.

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