Francisco Arias Cárdenas
Francisco Arias Cárdenas | |
|---|---|
Arias Cardenas in 2024 | |
| Member of the National Assembly of Venezuela | |
| Assumed office 5 January 2026 | |
| Constituency | National List |
| In office 5 January 2011 – 20 December 2012 | |
| Constituency | Zulia |
| Governor of Zulia | |
| In office 20 December 2012 – 26 October 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Pablo Pérez Álvarez |
| Succeeded by | Juan Pablo Guanipa |
| In office 23 January 1996 – March 2000 | |
| Preceded by | Lolita Aniyar de Castro |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Rosales |
| Venezuela Ambassador to Mexico | |
| In office 6 April 2019 – 26 November 2024 | |
| President | Nicolás Maduro |
| Preceded by | María Lourdes Urbaneja |
| Succeeded by | Stella Lugo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 20 November 1950 San Cristóbal, Táchira State, Venezuela |
| Party | United Socialist Party of Venezuela (2007–present) MVR (2006–2007) Unión (2001–2004) |
| Alma mater | Military Academy of Venezuela, Andes University, Javeriana University |
| Profession | Army officer Politician |
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Francisco Javier Arias Cárdenas (born 20 November 1950) is a Venezuelan politician and career military officer, and was the governor of Zulia state. He participated in Hugo Chávez's unsuccessful February 1992 coup attempt, being pardoned in 1994 by Rafael Caldera, along with the other conspirators. He was elected Governor of Zulia state in 1995 for the Radical Cause, and challenged Hugo Chávez for the presidency in 2000. He subsequently served as Venezuelan Ambassador to the UN, and deputy to the National Assembly after the 2010 parliamentary elections.