Guillermo Tell Villegas Pulido

Who was Guillermo Tell Villegas Pulido?

Guillermo Tell Villegas Pulido, was a Venezuelan lawyer, journalist and politician. Acting president of Venezuela in 1892, during the crisis of the Revolución Legalista, led by Joaquín Crespo.

Villegas Pulido was born in Barinas. Son of José Antonio Villegas and Nieves Pulido, soon moved to Caracas, studying law at the Central University of Venezuela, obtaining his degree in 1875. Along with his uncle of the same name, founds in 1876 "La Paz" school in Caracas.

In 1879, was appointed as special commissioner of Venezuela in Panama, in addition served as Secretary of Interior of the Federal District between 1879 to 1880, and secretary general of President Antonio Guzmán Blanco. In 1881, was judge of first instance in Caracas, and deputy to the National Congress for the Bolívar state, period 1890-1892.

Following the resignation of his uncle Guillermo Tell Villegas, assumed the presidency during the days of the Legalist Revolution. Thanks to his influences, in 1892 help to established the Psychiatric hospital of Caracas, after visiting the Insane Asylum of Los Teques, and watching the neglected conditions of patients. Villegas Pulido sought for better alternatives, remodeling an old barracks located in west Caracas, and with help of the San José de Tarbes Nuns Community, enabled a train to facilitate the transfer of patients to the new building, being inaugurated on 17 September 1892. In the government of Joaquín Crespo was exiled from Venezuela.