(17 January 1929 – 6 July 2003) was a Venezuelan prelate of the Catholic Church who served as the Archbishop of Caracas from 27 May 1995 until his death.
On 23 October 1989, Pope John Paul II named him Apostolic Vicar of Puerto Ayacucho and titular bishop of Utimmira.
He made Velasco a cardinal on 21 February 2001[1] and assigned him as Cardinal-Priest to the titular church of Santa Maria Domenica Mazzarello.
[2] After Chávez repeatedly attacked the Church, Velasco said: "Every day I turn another cheek.
[3] After Velasco's death, Chávez drew fire for his controversial statement that the Cardinal was "burning in hell".