Jeanine Áñez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeanine Áñez
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Áñez in 2020
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| 66th President of Bolivia | |
| In office 12 November 2019 – 8 November 2020 |
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| Vice President | Vacant |
| Preceded by | Evo Morales |
| Succeeded by | Luis Arce |
| President of the Senate | |
| In office 12 November 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Adriana Salvatierra |
| Succeeded by | Eva Copa |
| Second Vice President of the Senate | |
| In office 18 January 2019 – 12 November 2019 |
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| President | Adriana Salvatierra |
| Preceded by | María Elva Pinckert |
| Succeeded by | Carmen Eva Gonzales |
| In office 19 January 2015 – 20 January 2016 |
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| President | José Alberto Gonzáles |
| Preceded by | Jimena Torres |
| Succeeded by | Yerko Núñez |
| Senator for Beni | |
| In office 18 January 2015 – 12 November 2019 |
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| Substitute | Franklin Valdivia |
| Preceded by | Donny Chávez |
| Succeeded by | Pablo Gutiérrez |
| In office 19 January 2010 – 10 July 2014 |
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| Substitute | Donny Chávez |
| Preceded by | Mario Vargas |
| Succeeded by | Donny Chávez |
| Constituent of the Constituent Assembly from Beni circumscription 61 |
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| In office 6 August 2006 – 14 December 2007 |
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| Constituency | Cercado |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jeanine Áñez Chávez
13 June 1967 San Joaquín, Beni, Bolivia |
| Political party | Social Democratic Movement (2013–2020) |
| Spouses |
Tadeo Ribera
(m. 1990, divorced)Héctor Hernando Hincapié |
| Children | 2, including Carolina |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupation |
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| Signature |  |
Jeanine Áñez Chávez (born 13 June 1967) is a Bolivian lawyer, politician, and television presenter. She served as the 66th president of Bolivia from 2019 to 2020. Before becoming president, she was a senator for the Beni region from 2015 to 2019 and from 2010 to 2014. She also served as the second vice president of the Senate and briefly as its president in 2019. Earlier in her career, she was part of the Constituent Assembly from 2006 to 2007.
Born in San Joaquín, Áñez studied law at the José Ballivián Autonomous University. She also worked in television journalism. She was an early supporter of giving more power to different regions of Bolivia. In 2006, she joined the Constituent Assembly to help write a new constitution. After this, she became a senator for Beni. She was reelected as senator in 2014. During her second term, she was the highest-ranking opposition member in the Senate during the social unrest in late 2019.
During a political crisis in 2019, President Evo Morales and other officials resigned. Áñez, as the next in line, declared herself president. On 12 November 2019, she held a special meeting of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. Many members of Morales' party were not there. Áñez then declared herself president of the Senate and used this position to become the country's president. Her government ended Bolivia's close ties with Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. It also improved relations with the United States. After delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new elections were held in October 2020. Áñez ran for president but later withdrew her candidacy. Luis Arce won the election.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Jeanine Áñez was born on 13 June 1967 in San Joaquín, Beni. She was the youngest of seven children. Her parents were both teachers. Áñez grew up in a rural area where basic services like paved roads and constant electricity were rare. Despite this, she remembers her childhood as "beautiful" and "very free."
She attended an all-girls school where her mother was the director. After high school, she moved to La Paz to study secretarial work. Later, she moved to Santa Cruz to continue her education. She then studied law at the José Ballivián Autonomous University in Trinidad, where she became a lawyer. She also has diplomas in public management, human rights, and education.
Before politics, Áñez worked in regional television and radio journalism. She loved this work, even though it didn't pay much. She became a news presenter and later directed a TV station called Totalvisión. During this time, she strongly supported the movement for more regional self-governance in Bolivia. This movement wanted regions to have more control over their resources and to elect their own leaders.
Constituent Assembly Role
Joining the Assembly
In the mid-2000s, Bolivia was undergoing many social changes. Áñez became known as a politician from the lowlands who supported regional self-governance. The 2006 Constituent Assembly elections were a chance for new professionals to enter politics. Áñez was invited by the Social Democratic Power (Podemos) group to run as a candidate for Beni. She won her district.
Time in the Assembly
The Constituent Assembly began on 6 August 2006. Áñez hoped to include regional self-governance in the new constitution. However, the process was slow because articles needed a two-thirds vote to pass. During her time, she worked on commissions that helped write parts of the new government's judicial system.
Time as a Senator
First Term (2010–2014)
Becoming a Senator
After her work in the Constituent Assembly, Áñez stayed involved in politics. She joined a group called Plan Progress for Bolivia – National Convergence (PPB-CN). This group aimed to unite opposition against the Movement for Socialism (MAS-IPSP) party. Áñez became a candidate for senator for Beni and won. This made her one of the few former assembly members to continue a national political career.
Working in the Senate
In January 2011, the Senate's leadership board was changed. Áñez was nominated for Second Vice President. However, there were disagreements among the opposition senators. The MAS party ended up choosing some of the positions. Áñez was elected Second Secretary but refused the post. She felt the MAS party was interfering with the opposition's choices.
In her last year of her first term, Áñez was again involved in disputes within the opposition. In January 2014, the Senate again chose its leaders. Áñez was nominated for Second Secretary. But internal conflicts meant that neither she nor another opposition senator got their desired positions. The MAS party ended up electing other members to those roles.
Second Term (2015–2019)
2014 Election
During her first term, Áñez became close to Santa Cruz Governor Rubén Costas. She joined his political party, the Social Democratic Movement (DEMÓCRATAS; MDS). In 2014, the MDS joined with another party to form the Democratic Unity (UD) coalition. Áñez was nominated to run for reelection as senator for Beni.
She resigned her Senate seat on 10 July to qualify as a candidate. Her substitute, Donny Chávez, took her place. In the elections on 12 October, Áñez was reelected as senator for Beni.
Senate Leadership
Unlike her first term, the process to form the Senate's leadership board in 2015 was smoother. Áñez was elected Second Vice President of the Senate. This made her the UD coalition's representative in the Senate's leadership. In January 2019, Áñez was chosen to be the head of the Second Secretariat. However, she traded this position for the "more comfortable" Second Vice Presidency, which was mostly a ceremonial role.
Presidency (2019–2020)
Becoming President
On 10 November 2019, after weeks of protests about the presidential election, President Evo Morales and Vice President Álvaro García Linera resigned. Other top officials also resigned, leaving no one in line to become president.
Áñez, as the second vice president of the Senate, was the highest-ranking official left. She announced that it was her job to become president to call new elections. She hoped Morales' party would allow enough members to be present for a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly.
Áñez traveled from Beni to La Paz on 11 November. She arrived at the Plaza Murillo with strong security. She announced that the Senate would meet the next day to accept the resignations and for her to become president.
Meetings were held with the Catholic Church and the European Union. Morales' party initially rejected Áñez becoming president. But after more talks, they agreed to help her take office.
Later that day, Áñez called for a special Senate meeting, but it was stopped because not enough members were present. Morales' party members said they needed security to attend. Áñez then used a rule that allowed her to become president of the Senate when the president and first vice president were absent. She then used her position as Senate president to become the president of Bolivia. She said that Morales and García Linera leaving the country meant they had "abandoned their functions." The whole process took about eleven minutes.
The Bible Returns to the Palace
After becoming president, Áñez went to the Palacio Quemado, the former presidential residence. She appeared on the balcony wearing the presidential sash and medal. With her children and other leaders, she gave a short speech. She promised to "restore democracy" and said that "God has allowed the Bible to enter the Palace again." Before Morales, Bolivia was not a secular state, and the Bible had been a symbol in the palace. Áñez, at 52, became Bolivia's 66th president and the second woman to hold the position.
The next day, the former Senate president, Adriana Salvatierra, argued that her resignation was not official. However, security stopped her from entering the Legislative Assembly. On 14 November, the Senate officially approved Salvatierra's resignation. Eva Copa was elected as the new president of the Senate. Morales' party also formally recognized Áñez's presidency.
Reactions in Bolivia
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Many Bolivian opposition leaders praised Áñez becoming president. Former president Carlos Mesa congratulated her. Her party members, like Governor Rubén Costas, wished her success. Former vice president Víctor Hugo Cárdenas hoped she would remember indigenous peoples and youth.
However, members of Morales' party were unhappy. They said that Áñez's rise to power was a "coup d'état."
Domestic Policy
Elections
Calling New Elections
On 14 November 2019, Áñez announced that her government would call for new elections as soon as possible. She asked for cooperation from Morales' party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), because they had a majority in the parliament. Their help was needed to choose new members for the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Áñez wanted "honest, transparent professionals" for these positions.
Initially, the assembly struggled to agree. Áñez considered calling elections by special order if they couldn't agree. However, this idea was seen as unconstitutional by many. On 23 November, the Senate approved a law for new elections. Áñez signed it on 24 November. This law canceled the 2019 elections and called for new ones. It also said that people who had been reelected twice could not run again, which stopped Morales from running.
Áñez appointed Salvador Romero to lead the new Supreme Electoral Tribunal. The assembly then elected six more members. On 3 January 2020, the new elections were set for 3 May. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the elections were delayed to 6 September. Áñez wanted a later date, but the parliament approved the 6 September date. Later, the Electoral Tribunal postponed the elections again to 18 October due to the ongoing health crisis. This decision was supported by Áñez and the United Nations.
Presidential Campaign
Announcement
At first, Áñez said she would not run for president. She stated her goal was only to hold transparent elections. Polls showed that most people agreed she should not use her power to become a candidate.
However, her party, the Democrats, began to promote her as a candidate. On 24 January 2020, Áñez announced she would run for president as part of the Juntos alliance. She said she was forced to run because the opposition couldn't agree on a single candidate.
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Both the opposition and Morales' party criticized her decision. Her candidacy divided the right-wing vote. Former president Carlos Mesa called it "a big mistake." Morales said her candidacy proved that a coup had happened against him.
On the other hand, Governor Costas supported her, saying it was "women's time." Samuel Doria Medina joined her as her running mate.
Campaign and Withdrawal
During most of the campaign, Áñez was in third or fourth place in the polls. On 16 September, a new poll showed her in fourth place. The next day, Áñez announced she was withdrawing from the presidential race. She said she did this to prevent the opposition vote from being split. She stated it was "not a sacrifice, [but] an honor," and that "if we [the opposition] don't unite, Morales will return."
Analysts thought her withdrawal might help Carlos Mesa's campaign. However, Luis Arce won the election in the first round on 18 October. Many analysts believed Áñez's decision to run had contributed to the opposition's loss.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, Áñez announced several measures to fight the disease. On 17 March 2020, Bolivia closed its international borders for foreigners. All international and national flights, and inter-city land transport, were suspended within 72 hours. Only transport for goods was allowed to keep supplies moving.
Domestically, working hours were shortened, and markets had limited hours. A curfew was set from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. On 26 March, Áñez declared a health emergency and imposed a strict, mandatory quarantine. One person per family could leave home for essentials during certain hours. All exits were forbidden on weekends. Fines were given to those who did not follow the rules. The military and police helped enforce these measures.
On 26 June, Áñez introduced a "dynamic quarantine." This allowed local governments to adjust some rules, like movement of people and commerce. This was extended until the end of August, and then measures were relaxed from September.
To help with economic problems, Áñez and her cabinet decided to donate half of their monthly salaries to a fund for those affected by the pandemic. The government also promised to pay domestic electricity and water bills for families from April to June 2020.
Cultural Policy
Since 2009, the Wiphala (flag of the Andes' indigenous peoples) has been a dual flag of Bolivia, along with the national flag. Áñez's government kept the Wiphala as a national symbol. Her government also added the flag of the Patujú flower, a symbol of eastern Bolivia's indigenous peoples, as an official flag in all national events. In January 2020, Áñez introduced a new government logo. It featured the coat of arms and lines representing the national flag and Wiphala, with two Patujú flowers.
On 4 June, Áñez closed three ministries to save money for the pandemic fight. These included the Ministry of Cultures and Tourism and the Ministry of Sports. They were merged with the Ministry of Education. This decision caused some criticism from indigenous groups and politicians. Áñez said that "art and culture will be promoted from the Ministry of Education."
Foreign Policy
Israel
On 28 November 2019, Áñez's Foreign Minister, Karen Longaric, announced that Bolivia would restart diplomatic relations with Israel. This was the first time in over ten years. In 2009, President Morales had cut ties with Israel. Longaric said his decision was political and ignored economic benefits. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz welcomed the decision. Visa requirements for Israeli citizens entering Bolivia were also removed.
On 4 February 2020, Áñez met with Israeli officials. They discussed cooperation in agriculture, education, and health. Soon after, the government announced the formal return of relations between Bolivia and Israel.
United States
Diplomatic relations between Bolivia and the United States had been suspended for twelve years. Áñez's government worked to improve ties with the U.S. On 26 November 2019, Óscar Serrate was appointed as a special ambassador to the U.S. In December, Áñez removed visa requirements for American citizens entering Bolivia. On 21 January 2020, Áñez met with U.S. Under Secretary of State David Hale. They agreed to exchange ambassadors for the first time in over a decade.
Venezuela
Within two days of taking office, Áñez's government recognized opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the rightful president of Venezuela. The next day, Áñez's Foreign Minister asked diplomats from Nicolás Maduro's government to leave Bolivia. Bolivia also left the Bolivarian Alliance and the Union of South American Nations. On 22 December 2019, Bolivia joined the Lima Group, a group of countries discussing solutions to the crisis in Venezuela.
After the Presidency (2020–2021)
Áñez was not present for her successor's inauguration. On 7 November 2020, she announced she had moved back to her home in Trinidad, Beni. She promised to keep defending democracy. She denied rumors that she planned to leave the country.
Beni Governor Campaign
On 27 December 2020, Áñez announced she was leaving the Social Democratic Movement. She criticized "old politicians" and said that "a change is needed" in Bolivia's political system.
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The next day, it was announced that Áñez would run for governor of the Beni Department. She would run as part of the Ahora! alliance. Áñez officially launched her campaign the following day. She said she chose to run to fulfill her commitment to work for her department.
Áñez's campaign focused on developing agriculture and creating a "Beni Bonus" to help families. Early polls showed her with good support. However, her campaign was affected by legal processes. After the election, Alejandro Unzueta was declared the winner. Áñez came in third place, receiving only thirteen percent of the vote.
Ideology and Personal Life
Personal Life
Áñez married lawyer Tadeo Ribera. They have two children, Carolina and José Armando. Ribera was mayor of Trinidad from 1996 to 1999. The couple divorced after Áñez became a senator because she had to move to La Paz, and he didn't approve of her political work. Ribera passed away in January 2020, during her presidency. Áñez's second husband is Héctor Hernando Hincapié, a politician from Colombia.
Áñez is known for her love of animals. She adopted at least eight stray dogs during her presidency. One dog was named "Pitita," which refers to the protests that led to Morales' resignation and her presidency.
Electoral History
| Year | Office | Party | Alliance | Votes | Result | Ref. | ||||
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| Total | % | P. | ||||||||
| 2006 | Constituent | Independent | Social Democratic Power | 14,677 | 45.62% | 1st | Won | |||
| 2009 | Senator | Independent | National Convergence | 85,631 | 53.15% | 1st | Won | |||
| 2014 | Social Democratic Movement | Democratic Unity | 91,855 | 51.44% | 1st | Won | ||||
| 2020 | President | Social Democratic Movement | Juntos | Withdrew | Lost | |||||
| 2021 | Governor | Independent | Ahora! | 26,620 | 13.29% | 3rd | Lost | |||
| Source: Plurinational Electoral Organ | Electoral Atlas | ||||||||||
See also
In Spanish: Jeanine Áñez para niños
Images for kids
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Áñez at the Miraflores Women's Penitentiary, March 2021.
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