![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jorge_Antonio_Rodr%25C3%25ADguez.png/640px-Jorge_Antonio_Rodr%25C3%25ADguez.png&w=640&q=50)
Jorge Antonio Rodríguez (Venezuelan dissident)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jorge Antonio Rodríguez (Carora, February 16, 1942 – Caracas, July 25, 1976) was a student leader, terrorist[1] and Venezuelan politician. He was a leader of the Revolutionary Left Movement and, later, founder of the Socialist League.[2][3] He became known in the 1970s for leading the kidnapping of the American William Niehous.
Jorge Antonio Rodríguez | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Born | (1942-02-16)16 February 1942 Carora, United States of Venezuela |
Died | 25 July 1976(1976-07-25) (aged 34) Caracas, Fourth Republic of Venezuela |
Resting place | Southern General Cemetery |
Political party | Revolutionary Left Movement (1960–1973) Socialist League (1973–1976) |
Children | Delcy Rodríguez Jorge Rodríguez |
He was involved in several criminal acts under the banner of the revolution. On February 27, 1976, a guerrilla commando kidnapped William Niehous, the local president of Owens-Illinois, from his residence in Caracas. The kidnappers, members of the Revolutionary Organization (OR), a faction derived from the MIR and linked to the Socialist League, justified their act by arguing that Niehous was an enemy of Venezuela. Niehous's kidnapping, which lasted three years and four months, is considered one of the longest in Venezuelan history. Rodríguez was arrested for his involvement in the kidnapping and died under torture while being interrogated by the Intelligence and Prevention Services Directorate, a fact that led to the dismissal of several officials, including director Arístides Lander. Rodríguez's participation in acts of kidnapping. This legacy of violence and militancy left a mark on his children, Delcy and Jorge Rodríguez, who have held high positions in the Chavista regime, perpetuating a repressive and authoritarian system.[4]