Fernándo Ochoa Antich

Fernando Antonio Ochoa Antich (born 12 September 1938) is a Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat and politician, and retired general. He is a columnist with the El Universal newspaper.

Early life and education Fernándo Ochoa Antich was born in 1938. When dealing with the crisis, Ochoa Antich remained the loyal defense minister of Pérez. Although his actions resulted in quelling the conflict and saving the president's life, Ochoa Antich would later state that allowing Chávez to speak on public television was a "mistake," stating "I was responsible, I authored it, I was wrong," as it allowed Chávez to gain political success in the future over Perez.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs In June 1992, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela Humberto Calderon Berti resigned when his Copei political party broke with Pérez's administration. Defense Minister General Ochoa Antich was named to the position as Berti's replacement on June 12, 1992, resigning from the Ministry of Defense.

After a trial concerning misappropriation of funds, the National Congress removed Pérez from office permanently on 31 August 1993. Ochoa Antich, however, retained his position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served as Minister of Foreign Affairs until February 2, 1994.

In 1994, when Ramón José Velásquez was named president, Ochoa Antich was named ambassador to Mexico. He continued to hold the position as of 1996. In 1998, he ran as a regional candidate for the governor elections of Zulia, but lost to Francisco Arias Cárdenas.