Hermógenes López

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31st President of Venezuela
Hermógenes López

In office August 8, 1887 – July 2, 1888
Preceded by	Antonio Guzmán Blanco
Succeeded by	Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl

Born	April 19, 1830(1830-04-19) Naguanagua, Carabobo
Died	December 17, 1898 (aged 68) Valencia, Carabobo
Political party	Liberal Party

Hermógenes López was President of Venezuela in 1888. He was born in Naguanagua, Carabobo, on April 19, 1830. There is little information on his childhood, only that his schooling was limited to primary education and agricultural tasks.

With the arrival of Jose Tadeo Monagas and Jose Gregorio Monagas to power (1848-1858), he took part in the military fights that developed in the country during the 19th century, but he returned to his life as agriculturist. He became military leader of Nirgua in 1858 and participated in the 1862 campaign of Carabobo state to overthrow its president, General Marcos Lopez. Hermógenes became president of the Carabobo state after a bitter electoral fight against General Gregorio Cedeño (May of 1881) and also served as president of Yaracuy state. He assumed the presidency of the Republic on August 8, 1887, when Antonio Guzmán Blanco retired and traveled to Europe. He presided over a transition period, which concluded July 2, 1888, when Juan Pablo Rojas Paul assumed the presidency.

Hermógenes Lopez's provisional government enjoyed the active cooperation of all the major powers such as the Liberal Party and the town. He named the following people to his cabinet: Inner relations, Francisco González Guiñan; Outer relations, Diego Urbaneja Baptist; Property, Juan Pablo Rojas Paul; Promotion, Jacinth R. Pachano; Public instruction, Jose Maria Ortega Martinez; War and Navy, Francisco Carabaño; Public Works, Jose Cecilio Castro; Public credit, Angel Herrera Poplar; governor of the Federal District, Juan Quevedo and Secretary General, Rafael González Delgado. During his government, Hermógenes inaugurated the railroad between Port Cabello and Valencia and an underwater cable with Europe in February 1888. In April 1888, the remains of General Jose Antonio Páez were returned to Venezuela. This act was carried out against the will of Guzmán Blanco, who had been against the transfer since he considered Paéz one of the oligarchs. Lopez turned the government over to Juan Pablo Rojas Paul, chosen by the Federal Council July 2, 1888, to become president of the Republic. Hermógenes died in Valencia, Carabobo, on December 17, 1898.