KENNEDYS RECEIVE ROYAL WELCOME IN VENEZUELA
Caracas, Venezuela (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy & First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy received a royal welcome today from more than 300,000 people lining the streets of Caracas.
The Kennedys' reception stands in stark contrast to Vice President Richard M. Nixon's visit in 1958 when angry protesters pounded his car with clubs & pipes.
During a speech given here today, JFK said:
"One of the 1st goals of the new inter-Americanism must be the elimination of...tyranny...until this is a hemisphere of democratic & independent nations from Cape Horn to the Arctic Circle."
The Kennedys in Venezuela
Photo by Cecil Stoughton
JFK Library
President Kennedy's Alliance for Progress program is popular here.
Through the program, the United States is supplying loans & credits for road construction & agricultural & medical initiatives.
Mrs. Kennedy was particularly appreciated by the Venezuelan people for both her fashion styles & her command of the Spanish language.*
Mrs. Kennedy Speaks in Spanish
La Morita, Venezuela
JFK Library Photo
*In a classified document released in 1997, the Presidential visit to Venezuela was described as an "outstanding success (which) bolstered (the) prestige of (the) United States in Venezuela & in (the) Americas, especially (the) Caribbean."
The document continues:
"(The visit) strengthened constitutional government (&) improved (the) prestige of (the) Armed Forces.
The most important result of the visit will be measured in terms of respective governments in implementing (the) alliance for progress program in Venezuela which by reason of the President's visit is now (a) showcase for this program in Latin America."
VENEZUELA
is located on the northern cost of South America. It is a federal presidential republic comprised of 12 states.
Venezuela has been described as one of the most urbanized countries in Latin America today.
Venezuela was a founding member of the United Nations.
The capital, Caracas, is also the country's largest city.
The flag of Venezuela is yellow, blue & red.
The yellow stands for land wealth, the blue stands for the sea the separates Venezuela from Spain & the red represents the blood shed in achieving independence.
The Flag of Venezuela
www.cia.gov
