Walter Guevara
- Early Life and Career
- Government Positions Under NRM
- Dismissal from NRM and Support for Banzer
- Presidency and Impeachment
- Later Career
Early Life and Career
Walter Guevara Arce was born in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He pursued legal and economic studies in the United States. He was involved in the semi-clandestine group "Socialist Action Beta Gamma" and co-founded the National Revolutionary Movement (NRM) party in 1941.
Government Positions Under NRM
Upon the NRM's rise to power after the 1952 revolution, Guevara Arce served in the government as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1952-1956) and Minister of Internal Affairs (1956-1960). As a representative of the party's right-wing, he opposed initiatives proposed by its "left-wing" members.
Dismissal from NRM and Support for Banzer
Guevara Arce formed the Authentic Revolutionary Party in 1960, running for president and finishing second. He supported the military coup that overthrew the NRM government, serving as Foreign Minister from 1967 to 1968.
Presidency and Impeachment
After living in exile during Hugo Banzer's presidency (1971-1978), Guevara Arce returned to NRM leadership and became its vice-presidential candidate in the 1978 elections, which were annulled due to allegations of fraud. In 1979, he was elected President of the Bolivian Senate. However, after no candidate received a majority in the 1979 presidential election, the National Congress appointed Guevara Arce as interim president for one year. His attempted investigation of criminal and economic crimes committed during the "Banzerato" faced resistance, and his proposal to extend his term exacerbated his political unpopularity and led to his impeachment by the military on November 1, 1979.
Later Career
After his presidency, Guevara Arce remained active in the Senate. He supported Víctor Paz Estenssoro in the 1980 and 1985 presidential elections. In 1982, he was appointed Bolivian ambassador to Venezuela. In 1989, he ran for vice president alongside Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, but the congress elected Jaime Paz Zamora as president.
