Julián Castro

Julián Castro Contreras (c. 1810 – June 12, 1875) was a Venezuelan military officer and President of Venezuela between 1858 and 1859. He was presumably born in Petare circa 1810, although this date is not certain. His parents were Juan Manuel Castro and Margarita Contreras. He had a brother, Inocente Castro. He joined the Army and in 1830 he held the rank of Alférez (Second Lieutenant in modern military hierarchy). In 1835, as Captain, he took pa... more

Julián Castro Contreras (c. 1810 – June 12, 1875) was a Venezuelan military officer and President of Venezuela between 1858 and 1859. He was presumably born in Petare circa 1810, although this date is not certain. His parents were Juan Manuel Castro and Margarita Contreras. He had a brother, Inocente Castro. He joined the Army and in 1830 he held the rank of Alférez (Second Lieutenant in modern military hierarchy). In 1835, as Captain, he took part in the Revolution of Reforms which withdrew President José María Vargas from power. Defeated the coup, he was imprisoned, but released some years later. Then he and his brother moved to Bejuma (Carabobo State). He married María Nieves Briceño, natural daughter of José Laurencio Silva, a hero of the Venezuelan War of Independence, and had four sons: Julián, Inocente, Ramón and Francisco de Paula. From the rise of José Tadeo Monagas to the Presidency in 1847, Castro began to promote in the military system: in 1849 he was promoted to Commander... less