Henri Falcón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henri Falcón
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Falcón in 2018
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| President of Progressive Advance | |
| In office 27 June 2012 – 22 March 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Eduardo Semtei |
| Governor of Lara | |
| In office 13 December 2008 – 16 October 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Luis Reyes Reyes |
| Succeeded by | Carmen Meléndez |
| Mayor of Iribarren Municipality | |
| In office 30 July 2000 – 13 December 2008 |
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| Preceded by | Macario González |
| Succeeded by | Amalia Saez |
| Member of the 1999 Constituent Assembly for Lara State |
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| In office 3 August 1999 – 20 November 1999 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 June 1961 Nirgua, Yaracuy, Venezuela |
| Political party | HF Venezuela (2024-present) Progressive Advance (2012–2022) Fatherland for All (2010-2012) United Socialist Party of Venezuela (2007-2010) Fifth Republic Movement (1997-2007) |
| Other political affiliations |
Unitary Platform (2022-present) Democratic Alliance (2020-2022) Agreement for Change (2018-2020) Democratic Unity Roundtable (2012-2018) |
| Spouse | Marielba Díaz de Falcón |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Universidad Santa María Bolivarian Military Technical Academy |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer, military officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Venezuela |
| Branch/service |  Venezuelan Army |
Henri Falcón Fuentes (born June 19, 1961) is a Venezuelan politician and lawyer. He was also a retired military officer. Falcón served as mayor of Barquisimeto for two terms, from 2000 to 2008. After that, he became the Governor of Lara State and served until 2017. He was also a candidate in the 2018 Venezuelan presidential election.
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Henri Falcón: A Venezuelan Politician
Early Life and Education
Henri Falcón was born in Nirgua, a town in Yaracuy state, Venezuela. He started his high school studies in Valencia. Later, he joined the armed forces in Caracas. He became a non-commissioned officer in the army, reaching a high rank.
In 1987, he married Marielba Díaz. They have four children together. After his military service, Falcón went on to study political science at Simón Bolívar University in 1992.
Journey into Politics
While studying in Caracas, Henri Falcón met Hugo Chávez. This meeting happened shortly before the 1992 Venezuelan coup d'état attempts. Through Chávez, he also met Luis Reyes Reyes, who would later become the Governor of Lara.
Falcón was chosen as a representative for Lara State in the 1999 National Constituent Assembly. This assembly was a special group formed to help write a new constitution for Venezuela.
Serving as Mayor
In the regional elections of 2000, Falcón was elected mayor of Barquisimeto. This city is the third largest in Venezuela. He won with more than half of the votes (51.61%). He was re-elected in the 2004 regional elections, winning by an even larger margin (64.33%).
Leading Lara State
In 2008, Falcón was elected governor of Lara State. He ran as a candidate for the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV). He won with a large number of votes (73.15%).
As governor, Falcón did not support the 2009 Venezuelan Constitutional Referendum. This referendum was about changing the constitution. Even so, the people of Venezuela voted to support it.
He was re-elected as governor in 2012. This time, he ran as a candidate for the Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD). This group was an opposition coalition. He won with 54.35% of the votes, defeating former governor Luis Reyes Reyes.
Changing Political Parties
In 2007, the Movimiento V República (MVR) party, which Falcón was a part of, changed its name to the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV).
On February 21, 2010, Governor Falcón resigned from the PSUV. He joined a different pro-government party called Patria Para Todos (PPT), which means "Fatherland for All." He explained that leaders should be able to share their ideas and discuss decisions. He felt that the relationship between the president and governors should not just be about giving orders.
In June 2012, Falcón started a new political party called Progressive Advance. This party joined the opposition group known as the MUD. Because of this, Falcón supported Henrique Capriles in the 2012 Venezuelan presidential election. Capriles was running against the president at the time, Hugo Chávez.
In January 2018, Falcón announced that he would run for president. He was the candidate for the Progressive Advance party in the Venezuelan snap election. The election was first planned for April 30, 2018, but was later moved to May 20, 2018.
His Political Ideas
Views on Venezuela
Henri Falcón has said that he used to support the political movement known as Chavismo. However, he later disagreed with its direction and left the movement. When he left the PSUV in 2010, he felt there wasn't enough discussion between the president and other Venezuelan officials. He believed that the PSUV was facing problems like too much bureaucracy and a lack of open discussion.
Falcón has called for talks and cooperation with the government. He believes this is better than constant disagreement, especially to avoid civil unrest. He has also stated that Venezuela's current government system needs to change.
International Relations
Falcón has sometimes had different views from other opposition leaders regarding international matters. For example, in March 2015, the U.S. President issued an order about Venezuela. Falcón described this order as "threatening" and "unfriendly." He felt it was disrespectful to Venezuelans and interfered with the country's internal affairs.
See also
In Spanish: Henri Falcón para niños
