Although a starter for most of his career, he also filled significant relief roles coming out from the bullpen, serving as a closer, middle reliever, or set-up man as well.

[1][3] Ladera was born in Carmen de Uria, a ghost village of the State of Vargas located in the north coastal region of Venezuela.

He played for them in two seasons, before joining the Navegantes del Magallanes in 1951–1952 and then found himself on the move again, this time to the Patriotas de Venezuela during the midseason.

They won five season titles, four championships and three sub-championships in its 13-season history, representing Venezuela in the first stage of the Caribbean Series in the 1956 and 1958 tournaments.

He led the team in games pitched (27) and tied his pal Jim Pearce for the most wins, being surpassed only by Ron Mrozinski (8) and Emilio Cueche (7).

Managed by Regino Otero, the Industriales won the title with a 33–21 record in its debuting season and advanced to the 1956 Caribbean Series.

Then, the Industriales swept the Rapiños de Occidente, 4–0, in the best-of-seven playoffs en route to the Caribbean Series.

[1][3] This time Ladera had a subpar performance in the Series, allowing four earned runs on nine hits and five walks in two relief appearances, even though he struck out 10 batters in 10+2⁄3 innings of labour.

The Rapiños, who claimed the league's championship, were invited to participate in the 1960 Caribbean Series to compensate for the absence of the VPBL representative team.

[1] Fortunately, Ladera showed good form during the 1960–1961 campaign, going 7–4 with a 2.51 ERA and 100+1⁄3 innings in 14 games, while completing seven of his 11 starts for Valencia.

On January 6, 1961, the two men battled through 11 scoreless innings, under a merciless sun, in a game played at Maracaibo; a very steamy city of Venezuela.

[1][7] Ladera returned to the Mexican League in 1960 and 1961, but he earned a 19–30 record and a 4.79 ERA while pitching for the Aguilas de Veracruz.