Gabriel Betancourt
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Betancourt Mejía (born April 27, 1918 in Medellín
– died March 23, 2002 in Bogotá
) was a Colombian
economist and diplomat who served as Colombia's Minister of National Education
in two occasions, and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO
.
on April 27, 1918 to Pedro Nolasco Adriano Betancur Toro and Mariana Mejía Arango as the youngest of 9 children.
Betancourt was a member of the government of dictator Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
. He later became assistant director of the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO
). He was also head of the education commission of the Alliance for Progress
in Washington, D.C.
under John F. Kennedy
.
. Gabriel Betancourt divorced his wife Yolanda Pulecio
in 1980 and was granted custody of his daughters. Gabriel Betancourt died of heart and respiratory trouble a month after Íngrid's kidnapping, without seeing his daughter again.
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
– died March 23, 2002 in Bogotá
Bogotá
Bogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
) was a Colombian
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
economist and diplomat who served as Colombia's Minister of National Education
Ministry of National Education
Ministry of National Education can refer to:* Ministry of National Education * Ministry of National Education * Ministry of National Education * Ministry of National Education and Religious Affairs...
in two occasions, and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
.
Early life
Gabriel Betancourt was born in MedellínMedellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
on April 27, 1918 to Pedro Nolasco Adriano Betancur Toro and Mariana Mejía Arango as the youngest of 9 children.
Betancourt was a member of the government of dictator Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla was a Colombian politician, military officer, General of the Army and President of Colombia between 1953 and 1957.- Biographic data :...
. He later became assistant director of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
). He was also head of the education commission of the Alliance for Progress
Alliance for Progress
The Alliance for Progress initiated by U.S. President John F. Kennedy in 1961 aimed to establish economic cooperation between the U.S. and South America.-Origin and goals:...
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
under John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
.
Personal life
Gabriel Betancourt was the father of the politician and former FARC hostage Íngrid BetancourtÍngrid Betancourt
Ingrid Betancourt Pulecio is a Colombian politician, former senator and anti-corruption activist.Betancourt was kidnapped by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia on 23 February 2002 and was rescued by Colombian security forces six and a half years later on 2 July 2008...
. Gabriel Betancourt divorced his wife Yolanda Pulecio
Yolanda Pulecio
Yolanda Pulecio Vélez also known as "Mamá Yolanda" is a Colombian former beauty queen turned politician, former member of the Congress of Colombia and diplomat. Pulecio married former minister of finance and diplomat Gabriel Betancourt...
in 1980 and was granted custody of his daughters. Gabriel Betancourt died of heart and respiratory trouble a month after Íngrid's kidnapping, without seeing his daughter again.