Gualberto Villarroel
Encyclopedia
Gualberto Villarroel López (December 15, 1908 – July 21, 1946) was the head of state
of Bolivia
from December 20, 1943 to July 21, 1946. A reformist, he is nonetheless remembered for his alleged fascist sympathies, and is sometimes compared with Argentina's Juan Domingo Perón. Above all, he is remembered for his violent demise, which occurred on the day when he was overthrown.
Villarroel was born in Villa Rivero, Cochabamba, on December 15, 1908. He participated in the Chaco War
(1932–35) against Paraguay
. In the aftermath of Bolivia's disastrous defeat in that conflict, he became convinced that Bolivia needed profound structural changes and supported the progressive Military-Socialist dictatorships of David Toro Ruilova and Germán Busch
(1936–39). Following Colonel Busch's suicide in August 1939, conservative forces reasserted themselves, took power, and propitiated the 1940 elections in which the tradiational (oligarchic) parties linked to the country's big mining interests (known as "La Rosca") triumphed at the polls with General Enrique Peñaranda
. Villarroel was part of the younger, more idealistic military officer corps that had supperted Toro and Busch.
In December 1943, a coup d'état crystallized against President Peñaranda, and Major Gualberto Villarroel became de facto President of Bolivia. He formed a coalition with the main reformist party of the time, the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement
, as well as with a hitherto-secret military faction known as Radepa (Razón de Patria, or Fatherland's Cause) inspired on the ideals of former president Busch Becerra.
Villarroel enacted a number of far-reaching reforms, including official recognition of worker unions and the right to retire voluntary with a pension. He also followed Busch's lead in calling a National Assembly, instituting Constitutional reforms, and having himself proclaimed Constitutional President by Congress (August, 1944). On the international front, Villarroel faced formidable obstacles in Washington's
reluctance to recognize him as President of Bolivia. This was due to the pro-Axis
stance of the 1936-39 military regimes that inspired the Villarroel government, as well as of (it was alleged) some of the President's closest aides from the MNR party. Eventually, the Roosevelt administration extended its recognition, but only in exchange for the expulsion from the cabinet of a number of "tainted" ministers first, and rupture with the MNR later.
The conservative backlash against Villarroel did not take long to appear, fed by the considerable resources of the private mining interests. Moreover, the workers themselves decided to exercise their newly-won rights to protest and demand further concessions in a manner that seemed imprudent and excessive, forcing the government to adopt repressive measures to maintain control. The extreme zeal of the government's repressive apparatus (weary of the chaos and increasing momentum of the right-wing opposition) led it to commit a number of shocking acts, including the execution of various prominent members of the intelligentsia and subsequent disposal of their bodies by pushing them off a 3000 feet (914.4 m) cliff. This, in turn, gave the traditional parties the excuse to initiate a nationwide revolt that culminated in the death of the President. On July 21, 1946, anti-government crowds took control of the Plaza Murillo, where the Palace of Government (the so-called Palacio Quemado
) is located, essentially laying siege to it.
From within the Palace, Villarroel announced his resignation, but the enraged hordes of teachers, students and marketplace women still seized arms from the arsenal and broke into the Quemado after an hour of fighting, assassinating the President and various of his aides. Villarroel's body was tossed from a balcony toward the square, where the crowds proceeded to hang it from a lamp-post opposite the Palace, perhaps inspired by a recently-shown newsreel of Benito Mussolini
's demise.
Following this, the opposition regained control of the government, keeping it until the 1952 Revolution. Villarroel, El Presidente Colgado ("The Hanged President") has since been revered by the majority of the Bolivian population as a martyr and hero whose time had not yet come when he met his violent death.
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of Bolivia
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...
from December 20, 1943 to July 21, 1946. A reformist, he is nonetheless remembered for his alleged fascist sympathies, and is sometimes compared with Argentina's Juan Domingo Perón. Above all, he is remembered for his violent demise, which occurred on the day when he was overthrown.
Villarroel was born in Villa Rivero, Cochabamba, on December 15, 1908. He participated in the Chaco War
Chaco War
The Chaco War was fought between Bolivia and Paraguay over control of the northern part of the Gran Chaco region of South America, which was incorrectly thought to be rich in oil. It is also referred to as La Guerra de la Sed in literary circles for being fought in the semi-arid Chaco...
(1932–35) against Paraguay
Paraguay
Paraguay , officially the Republic of Paraguay , is a landlocked country in South America. It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest. Paraguay lies on both banks of the Paraguay River, which runs through the center of the...
. In the aftermath of Bolivia's disastrous defeat in that conflict, he became convinced that Bolivia needed profound structural changes and supported the progressive Military-Socialist dictatorships of David Toro Ruilova and Germán Busch
Germán Busch
Germán Busch Becerra was a former Bolivian military officer, hero of the Chaco War , and president of Bolivia between 1937 and 1939.Germán Busch was born in San Javier, in central Bolivia's hot, fertile, coffee-growing region to a physician, a German...
(1936–39). Following Colonel Busch's suicide in August 1939, conservative forces reasserted themselves, took power, and propitiated the 1940 elections in which the tradiational (oligarchic) parties linked to the country's big mining interests (known as "La Rosca") triumphed at the polls with General Enrique Peñaranda
Enrique Peñaranda
Enrique Peñaranda del Castillo was a Bolivian general who served as commander of his country's forces during the second half of the Chaco War...
. Villarroel was part of the younger, more idealistic military officer corps that had supperted Toro and Busch.
In December 1943, a coup d'état crystallized against President Peñaranda, and Major Gualberto Villarroel became de facto President of Bolivia. He formed a coalition with the main reformist party of the time, the Revolutionary Nationalist Movement
Revolutionary Nationalist Movement
The Revolutionary Nationalist Movement is a Bolivian political party, perhaps the most important in the country during the 20th century. At the legislative elections in 2002, the party won, in an alliance with the Free Bolivia Movement, 26.9% of the popular vote and 36 out of 130 seats in the...
, as well as with a hitherto-secret military faction known as Radepa (Razón de Patria, or Fatherland's Cause) inspired on the ideals of former president Busch Becerra.
Villarroel enacted a number of far-reaching reforms, including official recognition of worker unions and the right to retire voluntary with a pension. He also followed Busch's lead in calling a National Assembly, instituting Constitutional reforms, and having himself proclaimed Constitutional President by Congress (August, 1944). On the international front, Villarroel faced formidable obstacles in Washington's
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
reluctance to recognize him as President of Bolivia. This was due to the pro-Axis
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
stance of the 1936-39 military regimes that inspired the Villarroel government, as well as of (it was alleged) some of the President's closest aides from the MNR party. Eventually, the Roosevelt administration extended its recognition, but only in exchange for the expulsion from the cabinet of a number of "tainted" ministers first, and rupture with the MNR later.
The conservative backlash against Villarroel did not take long to appear, fed by the considerable resources of the private mining interests. Moreover, the workers themselves decided to exercise their newly-won rights to protest and demand further concessions in a manner that seemed imprudent and excessive, forcing the government to adopt repressive measures to maintain control. The extreme zeal of the government's repressive apparatus (weary of the chaos and increasing momentum of the right-wing opposition) led it to commit a number of shocking acts, including the execution of various prominent members of the intelligentsia and subsequent disposal of their bodies by pushing them off a 3000 feet (914.4 m) cliff. This, in turn, gave the traditional parties the excuse to initiate a nationwide revolt that culminated in the death of the President. On July 21, 1946, anti-government crowds took control of the Plaza Murillo, where the Palace of Government (the so-called Palacio Quemado
Palacio Quemado
The Palacio Quemado is a popular name to denote the Bolivian Palace of Government, located on Plaza Murillo in downtown La Paz. It is the building from which the Bolivian executive conducts its business.The building has had many incarnations...
) is located, essentially laying siege to it.
From within the Palace, Villarroel announced his resignation, but the enraged hordes of teachers, students and marketplace women still seized arms from the arsenal and broke into the Quemado after an hour of fighting, assassinating the President and various of his aides. Villarroel's body was tossed from a balcony toward the square, where the crowds proceeded to hang it from a lamp-post opposite the Palace, perhaps inspired by a recently-shown newsreel of Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician who led the National Fascist Party and is credited with being one of the key figures in the creation of Fascism....
's demise.
Following this, the opposition regained control of the government, keeping it until the 1952 Revolution. Villarroel, El Presidente Colgado ("The Hanged President") has since been revered by the majority of the Bolivian population as a martyr and hero whose time had not yet come when he met his violent death.
Sources
- Céspedes, Augusto. El Presidente Colgado.
- Mesa José de; Gisbert, Teresa; and Carlos D. Mesa, 3rd edition. pp. 572–577.