27 Dec 2010

Death of former president

3:30 pm on 27 December 2010

Disgraced former President Carlos Andres Perez of Venezuela has died in Miami.

Mr Perez, 88, led the country between 1974 and 1979 and again between 1989 and 1993.

His first term in power was marked by a massive inflow of petrodollars that saw his country nicknamed "Saudi Venezuela".

His second was marred by corruption scandals and violence.

He became the first leader in Latin American to be convicted of graft when, having been forced from office in 1993, he was sentenced to 28 months in prison for the misappropriation of $22.75 million of public funds.