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| |  | | Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada | | | context : | Bolivia  | | judgement place : | Bolivia | | status : | On trial | | particulars : | Claims of genocide brought against him in 2005; trial in absentia opened in Bolivia on 18 May 2009 | | position : | President of Bolivia |
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| | | | Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada was born on 1 July 1930 in La Paz (Bolivia). He was President of Bolivia from 1993 until 1997 and a for a second time from 2002 until 2003.
Following a military coup, his father, a diplomat, flew into exile in the USA.
After completing his studies, Sanchez de Lozada, returned to Bolivia and studied Cinematographic Art. He then became interested in photography, mines’ construction and finally politics.
Following a first presidency from 1993 and 1997, Sánchez de Lozada was elected for a second mandate as President of Bolivia on 6 August 2002. He was then candidate for the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR).
- February 2003 (12-13):
The announcement by Sánchez de Lozada of his intention to introduce a direct income tax sparked off a series of protests and a strike by the police force, which culminated in violent clashes between members of the national police force, civilians and the army in La Paz. There were even some reports indicating the presence of snipers. These events led to the death of over 30 people, with many more injured.
The lack of transparency concerning the judicial investigations into the events of February further fuelled rejection of the administration of President Sánchez de Lozada.
The OAS – Organisation of American States – was then requested to set up a Commission of Inquiry and published its report in May 2003.
- September / October 2003 – The so-called “Gas War“:
Following an agreement concluded by Sánchez de Lozada with US oil companies for the selling and export of natural gas via Chile, mass demonstrations followed in September, especially in La Paz and El Alto. These events, which came to be known as “Black October” led to the deaths of at least 80 people, with more than 400 injured – according to figures produced by the Permanent Assembly –, including some women and children. President Sanchez de Lozada then withdrew the proposal.
On 13 October 2003, Sánchez de Lozada was forced to resign and left for exile in the USA. Carlos Mesa, the then Vice-President, assumed the presidency. | |     click for more... | | Trial Watch would like to remind its users that any person charged by national or international authorities is presumed innocent until proven guilty. | |  |  | | nationality : | | | Bolivia | | | date of birth : | | | 01.07.1930 | | | last time seen : | | | Bolivia, La Paz | | | period of charges : | | | 02.2003 - 10.2003 | | | judgement period : | | | 18.05.2009 | | | charges : | | | Genocide
Other | | | profile last modified : | | | 18.02.2010 |
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