Henrique Capriles

Henrique Capriles, born on July eleventh, nineteen seventy-two, in Caracas, is a prominent Venezuelan politician and lawyer. He earned his law degree from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello and later specialized in tax law at the Central University of Venezuela. At the young age of twenty-six, he made history as the youngest member ever elected to the Venezuelan parliament, securing a seat in the Chamber of Deputies during the nineteen ninety-eight elections under the Christian Democratic Party, Copei.

In two thousand, Capriles co-founded the political party Primero Justicia, alongside notable figures such as Julio Borges and Leopoldo Lopez. His political journey saw him successfully elected as the mayor of Baruta municipality in July of that year, followed by his election as the Governor of Miranda state in two thousand eight. He emerged as a key opposition figure, contesting the presidential elections in two thousand twelve and two thousand thirteen against then-President Hugo Chávez and Vice President Nicolás Maduro, respectively.

Capriles faced his first political defeat in two thousand twelve, but he continued to serve as Governor of Miranda, winning re-election in the two thousand twelve regional elections. His narrow loss to Maduro in two thousand thirteen ignited controversy, with claims of electoral fraud from the opposition. Throughout his career, he has been subjected to smear campaigns, often targeting his Jewish heritage and personal life.

Of Sephardi and Ashkenazi Jewish descent, Capriles' grandparents emigrated from German and Russian occupied Poland during World War II. Despite his heritage, he identifies as Catholic, citing Jesus Christ as his greatest historical hero. Before entering politics, he gained experience in both public and private sectors, working in various tax and law firms in Venezuela. On April fifth, two thousand seventeen, he was banned from political activity for fifteen years due to alleged administrative irregularities during his governorship, marking a significant turning point in his political career.