Douglas Bravo Venezuelan leftist politician Date of Birth: 11.03.1932 Country: Venezuela

1. Early Life and Political Activism
2. Formation of Revolutionary Groups
3. Involvement in Political Turmoil

Early Life and Political Activism

Douglas Bravo, a prominent Venezuelan leftist politician and guerrilla leader, was born on March 11, 1932, in Cabure, Falcón state. In 1946, he joined the Communist Party of Venezuela. However, his radical anti-imperialist views and criticism of the Soviet Union led to his expulsion from the party in 1965.

Formation of Revolutionary Groups

A year after his expulsion, Bravo established the Party of the Venezuelan Revolution and its armed wing, the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN). This group collaborated with the Left Revolutionary Movement (MIR). Bravo's guerrilla units attracted recruits from the Venezuelan military, including Hugo Chávez, who later became president of the country. Bravo first met Chávez in 1980.

Involvement in Political Turmoil

Bravo participated in the failed coup attempt in 1992 and was subsequently arrested. However, he was granted a pardon the following year. During Chávez's presidency, Bravo led the Third Way Movement, which criticized the administration's dependence on transnational energy corporations from a leftist perspective.