Antonio Guzmán Blanco

Antonio Guzmán Blanco was a Venezuelan general and statesman who dominated the country from 1870 to 1888 as president or through allies. A Liberal leader of the Federal War, he made primary education free and compulsory, introduced the bolívar as the currency, curbed the power of the Church and built railways and public works, remodelling Caracas in a French style. He grew immensely rich and died in Paris.