El Carupanazo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids El Carupanazo
Date 4 May 1962 Location Carúpano, Venezuela Result Government victory
Government-Insurgents
Venezuelan government	Military rebels
Commanders and leaders
Rómulo Betancourt	Jesús Teodoro Molina Villegas Pedro Vegas Castejón Héctor Fleming Mendoza
Military support
Armed Forces of Venezuela	Rebel forces
Casualties and losses
56 dead 400 arrests

El Carupanazo was a quick military uprising in Venezuela in May 1962. Some rebel military officers took control of the city of Carúpano. They were unhappy with the government led by President Rómulo Betancourt. This event was one of several similar uprisings in Venezuela during that time. Another famous uprising, El Porteñazo, happened a month later in Puerto Cabello.

The Uprising Begins

The rebellion started around midnight on May 4, 1962. Military officers who were against the government took over the city of Carúpano. These rebel leaders included Captain Jesús Teodoro Molina Villegas, Major Pedro New Vegas, and Lieutenant Héctor Fleming Mendoza.

They quickly took control of important places in the city. This included the streets, buildings, the airport, and the local radio station, Radio Carúpano. They used the radio station to share their message. They called their group the Movimiento de Recuperación Democrática, which means "Movement for Democratic Recovery".

Government Responds

President Rómulo Betancourt quickly reacted to the uprising. He demanded that the rebels surrender right away. At the same time, he ordered the Venezuelan Air Force to attack the city. The Venezuelan Navy also began to block the seaport. This operation was called Operacion Tenaza, meaning "Operation Pincers".

The very next day, the government forces successfully took back control of Carúpano and the areas around it. They arrested more than 400 people. These included both military personnel and civilians who were involved in the rebellion.

Aftermath

Some politicians were also linked to the uprising. This included Congressman Eloy Torres from the Communist Party of Venezuela (PCV). Other members of the PCV and the Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR) were also involved.

Because of this, President Betancourt made some big changes. He temporarily stopped some parts of the constitution that protect people's rights. He also accused the PCV and MIR of being involved in the rebellion. As a result, both political parties were declared illegal by the government.

See also

• Second Presidency of Rómulo Betancourt#Internal unrest
• El Barcelonazo
• El Porteñazo