Jorge Antonio Rodríguez

Jorge Antonio Rodríguez (February 16, 1942 – July 25, 1976) was a Venezuelan student leader, politician, member of a guerrilla group and a kidnapper. He was a leader of the Revolutionary Left Movement and, later, founder of the Socialist League. He became known in the 1970s for leading the kidnapping of the American executive William Niehous.

On February 27, 1976, a guerrilla commando kidnapped William Niehous, the local president of Owens-Illinois, from his residence in Caracas. The kidnappers, members of the Revolutionary Organization (OR), a faction derived from the MIR and linked to the Socialist League, justified their act by arguing that Niehous was an enemy of Venezuela. Niehous's kidnapping, which lasted three years and four months, is considered one of the longest in Venezuelan history. Rodríguez was arrested for his involvement in the kidnapping and died under torture while being interrogated by the Directorate of Intelligence and Prevention Services (DISIP), a fact that led to the dismissal of several officials, including director Arístides Lander.

Early life and education Jorge Antonio Rodríguez was born in Carora on February 16, 1942 into a low-income family. His wife was Delcy Gómez; their children are Jorge Jesús and Delcy Eloína.

Jorge Rodríguez called for the creation of the Socialist League as a revolutionary left-wing party in November 1973, in which he served as general secretary. He was drugged and kidnapped from his home in Caracas, and his company was accused of bribery and corruption with the Venezuelan government. Niehous remained captive for three years, four months and two days, recognized as the longest in Venezuelan politics.

According to Diario Las Americas, "court documents and testimonies from the time" indicated that Owens-Illinois had paid US$20 million ransom for Niehous, but "Rodríguez misappropriated the money, causing an internal rift with his own colleagues" which "led members of the cell themselves to betray him".

Death According to El País, "Jorge Antonio coordinated the kidnapping, but was later arrested as the mastermind and died under torture at the hands of the state."