Jaime Paz Zamora facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jaime Paz Zamora
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Official portrait by Antonio Eguino, 1989
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| 60th President of Bolivia | |
| In office 6 August 1989 – 6 August 1993 |
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| Vice President | Luis Ossio |
| Preceded by | Víctor Paz Estenssoro |
| Succeeded by | Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada |
| 32nd Vice President of Bolivia | |
| In office 10 October 1982 – 14 December 1984 |
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| President | Hernán Siles Zuazo |
| Preceded by | Luis Adolfo Siles Salinas |
| Succeeded by | Julio Garrett Ayllón |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 April 1939 Cochabamba, Bolivia |
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| Other political affiliations |
Christian Democratic Party (2019) |
| Spouse | Carmen Pereira Carballo (divorced) |
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Jaime Paz Zamora (born 15 April 1939) is a former Bolivian politician. He served as the 60th president of Bolivia from 1989 to 1993. Before that, he was the 32nd vice president of Bolivia from 1982 to 1984. He worked alongside President Hernán Siles Zuazo.
Contents
Early Life and Starting the MIR Party
Jaime Paz Zamora studied in Belgium. He became a strong supporter of left-wing ideas in the 1960s. In 1971, a leader named Hugo Banzer sent him away from Bolivia. While in Chile, Paz Zamora helped start a political party called the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR).
The MIR party quickly gained support from many smart people, especially university students. When Paz Zamora came back to Bolivia in 1978, his party joined forces with former President Hernán Siles Zuazo's group. Together, they formed the Unidad Democrática y Popular (UDP). This partnership was good for both sides. Siles Zuazo had experience and support from workers. Paz Zamora brought in young people and students.
Elections and Challenges (1978-1980)
The UDP party took part in the 1978 elections. Siles Zuazo and Paz Zamora seemed to win the most votes. However, the election was cancelled because of a lot of cheating by the government's chosen candidate. New elections were held in 1979. Again, Siles Zuazo and Paz Zamora won the most votes. But they did not get the 50% needed to win directly.
So, it was up to the Bolivian Congress to choose the next president. The Congress could not agree on a candidate. Eventually, they chose the head of the Senate, Dr. Wálter Guevara Arze, to be a temporary president. New elections were planned for 1980.
In April 1980, a small plane carrying Paz Zamora and other politicians crashed. Everyone on board died except Paz Zamora. The plane belonged to a company owned by Colonel Luis Arce Gómez. He later became a minister in a harsh military government. Paz Zamora recovered from his injuries and continued campaigning. He gained even more support after the accident.
The 1980 election was won by Siles Zuazo and Paz Zamora again. But they could not take office because of a military takeover on July 17, 1980. This was led by General Luis García Meza.
Becoming Vice President (1982-1985)
Paz Zamora had to leave Bolivia again. But he returned in 1982. By then, the military government was struggling, and Bolivia's economy was in big trouble. The military's reputation was damaged. So, they decided to step back.
In October 1982, the results of the 1980 elections were finally accepted. Siles Zuazo became president, and Jaime Paz Zamora became his vice president. The country faced huge economic problems, including very high inflation. President Siles Zuazo found it hard to control the situation. He did not get much help from other political parties or members of Congress. Unions also caused problems with constant strikes.
In 1984, Paz Zamora's MIR party left the government. They separated from Siles Zuazo's administration when his popularity was very low. The high inflation during 1982-1985 was one of the worst ever recorded in the world.
Changing Ideas and New Alliances (1985-1989)
By 1985, the government's problems led Congress to call for early elections. Paz Zamora's MIR party ran on its own this time. Paz Zamora was their candidate for president. He finished in third place. Víctor Paz Estenssoro became president (1985-1989).
During these years, the MIR party changed its ideas a lot. Paz Zamora and Oscar Eid wanted to move away from old Marxist ideas. They also wanted to stop focusing on class struggles. This was a time when many communist governments in Eastern Europe were changing. The MIR's new direction caused some people to leave the party. But the party became more united and popular with voters.
The 1989 Election and "Patriotic Accord"
Paz Zamora ran for president again in May 1989. He finished third, close behind the top two candidates: Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada and former leader Hugo Banzer. As before, no candidate won enough votes to become president directly. So, Congress had to choose.
Paz Zamora had promised never to work with Banzer. Banzer had exiled and treated the MIR party badly in the 1970s. However, Banzer had fallen out with Sánchez de Lozada's party. When an chance came to form an alliance with Banzer, Paz Zamora took it. This decision would have big effects on him and the MIR party later on.
On August 5, 1989, Congress elected Paz Zamora as president. This was thanks to the support from General Banzer. This unexpected alliance between the MIR and Banzer's ADN party was called the "Patriotic Accord." Both leaders said they would forget past disagreements for the good of Bolivia and to strengthen democracy. Some people admired this, while others were upset.
Paz Zamora's Presidency (1989-1993)
Jaime Paz Zamora's time as president was quite successful. Because of his alliance with Banzer, and perhaps his own new beliefs, he did not try to make huge changes. He disagreed with the United States' plan to completely get rid of the coca leaf. He thought coca could be used for medicine and industry. However, he did not achieve much in this area.
He had also said before the election that he would change the economic policies of the previous president. But most of the reforms, like selling state-owned companies, stayed in place. Overall, Paz Zamora managed the country steadily. A highlight of his presidency was when Bolivia's national soccer team qualified for the World Cup in 1993. Education, medical services, and general services also improved.
In foreign policy, Paz Zamora successfully negotiated with Peru. Bolivia gained access to a port on the Peruvian coast. However, since there was no land connection from Bolivia, its benefits were limited. His presidency also helped restore unofficial relationships with Taiwan. Representative offices were opened in La Paz (1990) and Taipei (1992).
After the Presidency
The MIR party and Paz Zamora faced challenges after 1993. The party supported Banzer in the 1993 presidential elections, as agreed in the "Patriotic Accord." But Banzer was not elected by Congress. Instead, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada became president.
Paz Zamora ran for president again in 1997 and 2002. Both times, he finished fourth. The MIR party's presence in Congress also became much smaller. Paz Zamora's last election was in 2005 for a regional governor position in Tarija. He lost this election. This marked the end of a long political career. Many people believe his alliance with General Banzer in 1989 had a lasting impact on his political standing.
