Luis Fernando Camacho facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Luis Fernando Camacho
Camacho at his inauguration as governor.
2nd Governor of Santa Cruz
Suspended from 25 January 2024
In office 3 May 2021 – 26 January 2024
Vice Governor	Mario Aguilera Cirbián
Preceded by	Rubén Costas
Succeeded by	Mario Aguilera Cirbián (Acting)
President of the Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee
In office 2 February 2019 – 29 November 2019
Preceded by	Fernando Cuéllar [es]
Succeeded by	Rómulo Calvo [es]
Personal details
Born	Luis Fernando Camacho Vaca (1979-02-15) 15 February 1979 (age 46) Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
Political party	Creemos
Other political affiliations	Revolutionary Nationalist Movement, Socialist International
Relatives	Eliodoro Camacho
Alma mater	Private University of Santa Cruz University of Barcelona
Occupation	Businessman lawyer politician
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Luis Fernando Camacho Vaca (born February 15, 1979) is a Bolivian lawyer, businessman, and politician. He served as the governor of the Santa Cruz department of Bolivia from 2021 until early 2024. He is the leader of the political party Creemos.

Camacho became a well-known public figure during the 2019 Bolivian elections. He was a major critic of President Evo Morales and was a key leader in the protests that followed the election. He asked President Morales to resign, which Morales did on November 10, 2019.

After new elections were planned, Camacho decided to run for president in 2020. He came in third place. The next year, he ran for governor of his home department, Santa Cruz, and won. He is seen as one of the most important opposition leaders in Bolivia.

Early Life and Education

Luis Fernando Camacho was born on February 15, 1979, in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. His family has a history in Bolivian politics. His great-great-grandfather was Eliodoro Camacho, a famous soldier from the War of the Pacific. His great-grandfather also served as a senator for Santa Cruz.

Camacho studied law at the Private University of Santa Cruz. He later earned a master's degree in business law. He also earned a second master's degree in tax and finance law from the University of Barcelona in Spain.

After finishing his studies, Camacho returned to Bolivia. He worked as a university professor for many years, teaching subjects like business law and finance law.

Career in Business and Law

Before becoming a major political figure, Camacho worked as a legal adviser for an insurance company called Nacional Seguros. He was also a shareholder in the company.

Camacho also owns his own law firm, called Corporación Jurídica.

Political Career

Camacho's political journey began in 2002 when he joined a political party called the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement. From 2002 to 2004, he was the vice-president of the Santa Cruz Youth Union, a community organization.

In February 2019, Camacho was elected president of the Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee. This is an important organization that represents the interests of the Santa Cruz region.

Role in the 2019 Protests

Some people supported Camacho's political actions, while others disagreed with them.

In 2019, major protests took place in Bolivia after the general election. Many people were unhappy with the election results and believed they were not fair. Camacho became a leader of the opposition, especially in his home region of Santa Cruz. He encouraged people to protest peacefully against President Evo Morales.

After President Morales left the capital city, Camacho went to the empty government palace. He placed a Bible and a letter on the floor. He said, "I don't go with weapons, I go with my faith and my hope." This act became a famous symbol of the protest movement.

Running for Office

After the 2019 events, Camacho formed a political party called Creemos (which means "We Believe"). He ran for president in the 2020 elections. He received 14% of the vote and finished in third place. He was most popular in his home department of Santa Cruz.

His strong support in Santa Cruz helped him in the 2021 regional elections. He ran for governor of the department and won easily with over 55% of the vote. He officially became governor on May 3, 2021.

Political Views

Camacho is known for his conservative political views. He is a strong opponent of former president Evo Morales and his far-left political party. Because of his views, many people describe him as a right-wing politician.

Legal and Political Challenges

In late 2022, Camacho faced serious legal problems connected to his role in the 2019 protests. On December 28, 2022, he was detained by police. Government officials stated that his detention was part of an investigation into the events that led to President Morales leaving office.

Many opposition leaders called the detention illegal and politically motivated. The situation led to large protests in Santa Cruz. Supporters blocked roads and demanded his release.

Because of his legal situation, Camacho was unable to perform his duties as governor from prison. This led to a debate about who should lead the department. In January 2024, his vice governor, Mario Aguilera, was sworn in as the acting governor of Santa Cruz.

Electoral History

Images for kids

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  Police officers with Camacho after his detention in December 2022.

See also

In Spanish: Luis Fernando Camacho para niños