Francisco Arias Cárdenas

Francisco Arias Cárdenas is a Venezuelan politician and former military officer who gained prominence as a key figure during the Hugo Chávez administration. He initially rose to national attention as one of the leaders of the failed coup attempt against President Carlos Andrés Pérez in 1992, alongside Chávez. Later, he became a prominent supporter of Chávez, serving as the governor of Zulia state and later as the ambassador to Cuba. Arias Cárdenas has been involved in various political roles, navigating the complexities of Venezuelan politics throughout the years, particularly during the turbulent period surrounding the 2004 recall referendum.