René Barrientos
René Barrientos | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 1967 | |
| 47th President of Bolivia | |
| In office 6 August 1966 – 27 April 1969 | |
| Vice President | Luis Adolfo Siles |
| Preceded by | Alfredo Ovando |
| Succeeded by | Luis Adolfo Siles |
| In office 5 November 1964 – 2 January 1966 | |
| Vice President | Vacant |
| Preceded by | Víctor Paz Estenssoro |
| Succeeded by | Alfredo Ovando |
| 30th Vice President of Bolivia | |
| In office 6 August 1964 – 4 November 1964 | |
| President | Víctor Paz Estenssoro |
| Preceded by | Juan Lechín |
| Succeeded by | Luis Adolfo Siles |
| Personal details | |
| Born | René Emilio Barrientos Ortuño 30 May 1919 Tarata, Cochabamba, Bolivia |
| Died | 27 April 1969 (aged 49) Arque, Cochabamba, Bolivia |
| Cause of death | Helicopter crash |
| Resting place | Cochabamba, Bolivia |
| Political party | Popular Christian Movement (1966–1969) |
| Other political affiliations | Revolutionary Nationalist Movement (until 1964) |
| Parent(s) | Antonio Barrientos Ercilia Ortuño |
| Education | Military College of the Army Military College of Aviation |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Bolivia |
| Branch/service | Bolivian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1938–1964 |
| Rank | General |
| Awards | Order of the Condor of the Andes |
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René Emilio Barrientos Ortuño (30 May 1919 – 27 April 1969) was a Bolivian military officer and politician who served as the 47th president of Bolivia from 1964 to 1966 and 1966 to 1969. During his first term, he shared power with Alfredo Ovando as co-president of a military junta and was the 30th vice president of Bolivia in 1964.
General Barrientos came to power after the 1964 Bolivian coup d'état which overthrew the government of President Victor Paz Estenssoro. During his three-year rule, Barrientos and the army suppressed leftist opposition to his regime, including a guerrilla group led by Che Guevara in 1967.
On 27 April 1969, Barrientos was killed in a helicopter crash near Arque, Bolivia. He may have been assassinated, but that has not been conclusively proven.