President Rafael Caldera Profession journalist, historian | Name Carlos Ayala Role Journalist | |
Succeeded by Tomas Polanco Alcantara Spouse(s) Evangelina Mendez de Capriles Died February 10, 2014, Madrid, Spain | ||
Carlos Capriles Ayala (16 March 1923 – 10 February 2014) is a Venezuelan journalist and historian, and a former Ambassador of Venezuela in Spain during Rafael Caldera's presidency tenure. He is co-founder along with his brother, Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala, of La Cadena Capriles, Capriles Publications and became Vice-President from 1950 to 1977. Founding editor of the Maracaibo daily Critica (1965–68), el "Vespertino de Maracaibo", news magazines "Elite" and "Momento" and lastly "El Mundo" tabloid.
He is the author of a number of books, including a biography of Venezuelan dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez. He is co-author of the three-volume Diccionario de la corrupción en Venezuela (Dictionary of Corruption in Venezuela). He protagonized and fomented the defence for free expression, free press and the constitution of the democracy in Venezuela. He was politically persecuted during the dictatorship of Marcos Perez Jimenez, during which he was thrown in jail and afterwards sent into exile. His thirst for adventure was expressed by his arrival to Spain as Ambassador of Venezuela in the early 1970s, by crossing the Atlantic ocean sailing his beloved VITO sailboat. In his role as Ambassador, Carlos signed several peace treaties and was awarded several decorations, like the Great Order of Hispanic Culture Institute, the Order of Liberatator of Venezuela and the Knight Grand Cross of Spain's Order of Isabella the Catholic in 1972. Carlos Capriles Ayala died on February 10, 2014.
He graduated in history from the Central University of Venezuela. He is the brother of Miguel Ángel Capriles Ayala.