Thesecondpresidency ofJosé Antonio Páez (1839–1843) was elected through indirect elections, being appointed by theCongress of Venezuela and succeeding the interim government ofCarlos Soublette aspresident of Venezuela. After completing his term, Páez handed power back to Soublette, who won the subsequent elections.[1]
José Antonio Páez had been Venezuela's first president following its separation fromGran Colombia, serving from 1830 to 1834.[2] Additionally, Páez played a key role in restoringJosé María Vargas to power in 1835, demonstrating his political influence.[3]
In the 1839 elections, Páez won the presidency with 212 out of 222 electoral votes.[2] At the time, presidential terms lasted four years.[4]
In May 1841, the Banco Nacional was established, with both government and private capital.[2] By 1842, a global economic crisis caused declines in the prices ofcoffee,indigo,cotton, andleather, leading to widespreadbankruptcies among merchants and landowners.[3]
On 19 April 1839, Páez enacted a law protecting intellectual property rights for literary works. On 27 April, another law expanded freedom of the press.[2]
In 1840, part of the San Francisco Convent was granted to the Independencia School, run by Feliciano Montenegro y Colón, under the condition that it providefree education to underprivileged children.[2]
On 12 May 1840, Congress passed the Immigration and Colonization Law, which planned the settlement ofGerman immigrants in Venezuela. It also restricted entry for individuals deemed criminals, sick, orfugitives from their home countries.[5]
During this administration, Venezuela expanded its international relations.[6] On 22 March 1841, a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation was signed withSweden and Norway.[2]
In 1842, Páez appointed a commission led by General Francisco Rodríguez del Toro to travel toSanta Marta,Colombia, and oversee the exhumation and repatriation ofSimón Bolívar's remains toCaracas. The commission also included GeneralMariano Montilla and former presidentJosé María Vargas.[7]
In 1840, theLiberal Party was founded, led byAntonio Leocadio Guzmán and Tomás Lander.[8] This party became Páez's primary political opposition.[4]