He studied naval sciences and specialized in administrative sciences. He holds a master’s degree in security and national defense and a doctorate in political science. He founded the Movimiento V República (MVR) party and the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV, in Spanish). As minister of the interior and justice in 2002 and 2008, he coordinated “Operation Emmanuel” to obtain the FARC’s release of hostages, including Clara Rojas and Consuelo González. In 2012, he was elected governor of the state of Guárico. He participated as a witness in the Exploratory phase of the peace process.
