Eduardo Rodríguez
Encyclopedia
Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé (born March 2, 1956) is a former president of Bolivia
; prior to that appointment he was the chief justice of the Supreme Court
.
in 1956, Rodríguez is a lawyer and holds a master's degree
in public administration. He studied at San Agustin High School
; later he studied law at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba and obtained his Master of Public Administration
at Harvard University
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
.
, former president Carlos Mesa
offered his resignation to Congress
. After Hormando Vaca Diez
and Mario Cossío, presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, respectively, were forced by protestors to decline the post, Rodríguez — as head of the judiciary
and fourth in the line of succession — became the country's new president on June 10, 2005. Rodríguez was inaugurated with the constitutional mandate to call elections within one year's time.
in January 2006, following the victory of Morales in the presidential election of the previous month.
shoulder-launched missiles from China
in the 1990s. By 2005 they had become obsolete and Rodriguez made the decision to destroy them; he says he did not know the United States would be the ones to be given the missiles for destruction. Before taking office, Morales charged that the transfer amounted to putting the country "under foreign domination."
He was charged with treason in 2006, which carries a 30 year prison term. He has since been cleared of all charges.
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
; prior to that appointment he was the chief justice of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Bolivia
The Supreme Court of Bolivia is the South American country's highest court, located in Sucre, 410 kilometres to the south-east of La Paz, Bolivia's capital. The Court was created by the Supreme Decree of April 27, 1825, which transformed the Royal Audience of Charcas into the new country's...
.
Background
Born in CochabambaCochabamba
Cochabamba is a city in central Bolivia, located in a valley bearing the same name in the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cochabamba Department and is the fourth largest city in Bolivia with an urban population of 608,276 and a metropolitan population of more than 1,000,000 people...
in 1956, Rodríguez is a lawyer and holds a master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in public administration. He studied at San Agustin High School
San Agustin High School
Colegio San Agustín, also called San Agustin High School is a private high school in Cochabamba, Bolivia.2005 marked the school's 50th anniversary and it was awarded the Cóndor de Los Andes, the Bolivian government's highest distinction....
; later he studied law at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba and obtained his Master of Public Administration
Master of Public Administration
The Master of Public Administration is a professional post-graduate degree in Public Administration. The MPA program prepares individuals to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, state/provincial, and federal/national government, and increasingly in nongovernmental organization and...
at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
's John F. Kennedy School of Government
John F. Kennedy School of Government
The John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University is a public policy and public administration school, and one of Harvard's graduate and professional schools...
.
Events of 2005
In 2005, after weeks of civil unrest led by Evo MoralesEvo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
, former president Carlos Mesa
Carlos Mesa
Carlos Diego Mesa Gisbert is a Bolivian politician, historian and President of Bolivia from October 17, 2003 until his resignation on June 6, 2005....
offered his resignation to Congress
National Congress of Bolivia
The Plurinational Legislative Assembly also known as the National Congress is the national legislature of Bolivia, based in the nation's de facto capital, La Paz....
. After Hormando Vaca Diez
Hormando Vaca Diez
Hormando Vaca Diez died was formerly president of the upper house of the Bolivian National Congress. In line for the post of president after Carlos Mesa's resignation, he declined amid protests against him, in a televised speech where he stated that the recent protests were caused by Carlos Mesa...
and Mario Cossío, presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, respectively, were forced by protestors to decline the post, Rodríguez — as head of the judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
and fourth in the line of succession — became the country's new president on June 10, 2005. Rodríguez was inaugurated with the constitutional mandate to call elections within one year's time.
Resignation and succession
Rodríguez's time in office ended with the inauguration of Evo MoralesEvo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
in January 2006, following the victory of Morales in the presidential election of the previous month.
Treason charges
Under the Morales administration, Rodriguez has been charged with treason following the decommissioning of missiles during his term in office. Bolivia bought about 30 HN-5HN-5
The HN-5 , is a family of first generation Chinese man-portable air-defense systems based on Soviet technology. The literal translation of Hong Ying is Red Tassel, but HN abbreviation is used to avoid confusion with HY series anti-ship missiles of Silkworm missile family...
shoulder-launched missiles from China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
in the 1990s. By 2005 they had become obsolete and Rodriguez made the decision to destroy them; he says he did not know the United States would be the ones to be given the missiles for destruction. Before taking office, Morales charged that the transfer amounted to putting the country "under foreign domination."
He was charged with treason in 2006, which carries a 30 year prison term. He has since been cleared of all charges.
External links
- Official web site of the president of Bolivia
- New Bolivia leader promises poll (BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
, 10 June 2005) - Bolivia's peacemaker seeks brighter future, BBC NewsBBC NewsBBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
, 27 July 2005