1943: Holding The Line
Ousted Chancellor Siguenza is led to prison by City Guardsman and members of the First Marines.
The operation, in the works for months, was about to go into action. Grand Admiral Rafael Villeda had made his way personally from his mansion on the coast to the city barracks at the dockyard. Driving down the sett paved street, the middle-aged man checked his pocketwatch. Six thirty four in the morning. It would be three hours until he became the most powerful man in the country.
9:25
The sight of armed regulars in uniform was a new one in the city center, particularly in such large numbers. Citizens looked on in a confused sort of awe, as the First Marines moved into various positions around the National Legislature, armed with rifles and dressed in their grey uniforms and tricorne hats. They were joined by members of the Maracaibo City Guard, who were in much simpler dress, due to being only partially mobilized for this event. Bewildered lawmakers peeked from behind the curtains of the cylindrical building at the military show of force. Orchestrating all of this was Villeda, strolling through the organized confusion with ease in full dress, complete with his sword.
Once everything was in position, Villeda checked his watch again. Nine thirty exactly. It was time. He gave the nod to the marine waiting by the front door, poised to strike. At that moment, two platoons of the First Marines stormed the Legislature from the main and mezzanine entrances. Two minutes passed before the Chancellor of the Democratic Republic of Maracaibo was brought out at bayonet point, having previously been giving a speech to the government about extending his increasingly unpopular term due to the “extraordinary circumstances” the nation found itself in. He never finished that speech before he was seized by marines on stage.
Out in the street, the people had gathered to see the Admiral deliver a public decree directly to the Chancellor.
“For treason, for cowardice, and for corruption--Chancellor Siguenza, you are under arrest!” bellowed Villeda. “You will be tried in a court of law in due time. Until a suitable replacement can be found, I shall lead this country with honor.”
Nine thirty four. Two squads of the City Guard and Marines led the former leader of the Republic down the road to the outskirts of town to the jail.