The Counter-Revolution's Patron: Rafael Trujillo versus Venezuela's Acción Democrática Governments, 1945–8. Issue 1 (February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moulton, Aaron Coy
• Is Part Of: Journal of Latin American studies. Volume 54:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 29
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2022-02
• Subjects: dictators -- Dominican Republic -- espionage -- exiles -- Venezuela; dictadores -- República Dominicana -- espionaje -- exiliados -- Venezuela; ditadores -- República Dominicana -- espionagem -- exilados -- Venezuela; Latin America -- Periodicals; 980
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022216X22000013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-216X

Abstract

Abstract: This article uncovers the myriad ways Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo destabilised Venezuelan politics between 1945 and 1948, the period known as the Trienio Adeco. In contrast to works focused on Trujillo's personal animosity towards Venezuelan President Rómulo Betancourt, this article argues that Trujillo sought to sabotage Venezuela's governments under Acción Democrática as part of his regional foreign policy targeting bastions of Dominican exiles, anti-Trujillo critics and democratic institutions. Trujillo financed an informal network of Venezuelan conspirators who produced propaganda and launched plots undermining the Adeco governments. With the 1948 military coup, Trujillo derailed democracy and gained a reliable ally in Latin America as those he had long backed entered influential posts and remained beholden to their former benefactor.