Marcos Pérez Jiménez Extradition Proceedings
Collection
Identifier: MSS-292-BC
Scope and Content
This collection includes the legal proceedings of the extradition trial of Pérez Jiménez, held in the United States. The majority of the collection consists of documents filed as evidence by Miami Consul Manuel Aristeguieta on behalf of Venezuela. The copies in the collection belonged to Judge Mathes, Federal District Court Justice, who presided over the case until 1960. Additional material includes a memorandum in support of the defendant's motion to dismiss, news publications showing the current political situation in Venezuela, as well as several folders of correspondence between Judge Mathes and the attorneys working for the Venezuelan prosecution team.
Most of the documents are in English. Several evidence files are printed in Spanish and English. The collection was previously called Marcos Pérez Jiménez Papers.
Most of the documents are in English. Several evidence files are printed in Spanish and English. The collection was previously called Marcos Pérez Jiménez Papers.
Dates
- 1950-1958
Creator
- Pérez Jiménez, Marcos, 1914-2001 (Person)
Language of Materials
English
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Copy Restrictions
Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.
Biography/History
Col. Marcos Pérez Jiménez came to power in Venezuela as part of a military junta that overthrew the government of democratically elected President Rómulo Gallegos in 1948. Once in power, Pérez Jiménez emerged as the strongman of the junta and assumed dictator status. After nearly ten years of rule, opposition groups persuaded the military to aid in his overthrow. In January 1958, the military took control of the government until popular elections decided R?mulo Betancourt as president in 1958. Pérez Jiménez fled the country and made his way to Miami, Florida.
Once in office, Rómulo Betancourt initiated extradition proceedings in order to prosecute Pérez Jiménez for embezzlement and murder in Venezuela. The prosecution was central to Betancourt's domestic strategy and image as honest and anti-dictatorial. Reasons for the extradition were also personal; Betancourt had been ousted from office and exiled by Pérez Jiménez ten years earlier.
After four years of legal battles, Pérez Jiménez was extradited from Miami, Florida to stand trial in Caracas, Venezuela.
Once in office, Rómulo Betancourt initiated extradition proceedings in order to prosecute Pérez Jiménez for embezzlement and murder in Venezuela. The prosecution was central to Betancourt's domestic strategy and image as honest and anti-dictatorial. Reasons for the extradition were also personal; Betancourt had been ousted from office and exiled by Pérez Jiménez ten years earlier.
After four years of legal battles, Pérez Jiménez was extradited from Miami, Florida to stand trial in Caracas, Venezuela.
Extent
8 boxes (4.15 cu. ft.)
Abstract
The collection contains court proceedings and correspondence related to the extradition trial of former president of Venezuela, Marcos Pérez Jiménez, from Miami, Florida to Venezuela.
Relevant Secondary Sources
- Ewell, Judith. The Indictment of a Dictator: The Extradition and Trial of MarcosPérez Jiménez. (College Station: Texas A and M University Press, 1981).
Creator
- Pérez Jiménez, Marcos, 1914-2001 (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid of the Marcos Pérez Jiménez Extradition Proceedings, 1950-1958
- Status
- Approved
- Author
- Processed by L Bramwell
- Date
- ©2000
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid is in English
Revision Statements
- June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 292 BC::Marcos Perez Jimenez Extradition Proceedings)//EN" "nmu1mss292bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
- Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.
Repository Details
Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository
Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451