René Barrientos

René Emilio Barrientos Ortuño was a central figure in Bolivian politics during the mid-20th century. He served as a high-ranking military officer and a skilled pilot. Most notably, he held the office of president of Bolivia during two different periods. His first term began in 1964 as part of a military junta. He later served as the constitutional president from 1966 until his death in 1969. Barrientos is remembered for his charisma and his controversial methods of maintaining order.

Barrientos was born on May 30, 1919, in Tarata, within the department of Cochabamba. His family background was diverse, with a father of Spanish ancestry and a Quechua mother. After his father passed away during his childhood, he lived in a Franciscan orphanage. He left the orphanage at age 12 to attend a private high school. To pay for his tuition, he worked various odd jobs. He eventually entered the military academy in La Paz and graduated in 1943. He also earned his pilot's license in 1945.

His early career was marked by significant involvement in the Bolivian National Revolution of 1952. This revolution was led by the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, or MNR. Barrientos supported this party and performed a vital task during the uprising. He flew out of the country to bring the exiled leader, Víctor Paz Estenssoro, back to Bolivia. By 1957, his success in the military led to his appointment as commander of the Bolivian Air Force. He became a national figure through public displays of courage and skill.

One famous incident occurred in 1960 during a parachute demonstration. A group of 15 soldiers attempted a jump, but their equipment failed. Sadly, three of the parachutists fell to their deaths in front of a large crowd. To prove the equipment was not at fault, Barrientos performed his own jump. He used one of the specific parachutes that had failed earlier. This act of valor cemented his popularity among many citizens.

Barrientos rose to political power through a series of rapid shifts. In 1964, President Paz Estenssoro amended the constitution to allow for consecutive re-election. This move, known as prorroguismo, was highly controversial among political elites. Paz chose Barrientos as his running mate, and they were sworn in on August 6, 1964. However, only three months later, Barrientos and General Alfredo Ovando led a coup d'état. This violent takeover overthrew Paz and established a military junta with Barrientos as co-president.

In 1966, Barrientos transitioned from a military leader to a constitutional president. He resigned from the junta to run in the July 1966 general elections. He won easily because many major civilian leaders were living in exile. Barrientos was a charismatic orator who spoke Quechua fluently. This allowed him to connect deeply with the Bolivian peasantry. He presented himself as a complex leader who was both a populist and a conservative. He also maintained strong ties with the Christian church and favored free-market policies.

His presidency was defined by intense conflict and internal unrest. In 1967, a guerrilla insurgency led by Ernesto "Che" Guevara operated in the Bolivian southeast. Barrientos took a hard line against this movement. He was also concerned about the influence of communism among miners. This tension led to the San Juan massacre on June 24, 1967. During this event, soldiers opened fire on miners, killing approximately 30 men and women. Additionally, a scandal arose in 1968 when his minister, Antonio Arguedas, disappeared with Guevara's diary. This event caused many to doubt Barrientos's judgment and political connections.

Toward the end of his life, Barrientos attempted to rebuild his political standing. He traveled to remote villages to speak directly with the campesinos, or farm workers. He hoped to repair the damage caused by recent military actions. His efforts were cut short on April 27, 1969. While flying near Arque, his Hiller OH-23 helicopter struck telephone cables. The crash killed Barrientos, his pilot, and his aide-de-camp. While some suspected assassination, the cause remained unproven. His death ended a turbulent chapter in Bolivian history.