Juan José Torres

Bolivian general

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July 14, 2026

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General Juan José Torres was a radical military leader who briefly governed Bolivia in 1970-1971. He came to power by overthrowing General Alfredo Ovando Candía and was himself replaced by Colonel Hugo Banzer Suárez in 1971. Torres's regime was the most radical of the military governments that ruled Bolivia between 1964 and 1979. During his time in office, Congress was temporarily replaced by a workers' soviet. His presidency was marked by significant political upheaval in Bolivia, a period characterized by frequent changes in government and military rule.12

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Hugo Bánzer Suárez
…himself overthrew the leftist General Juan José Torres on August 22, 1971. Bánzer encouraged foreign investment, but his restrictive policies regarding union activity and constitutional liberties led to opposition from labour leaders, clergymen, peasants, and students. All opposition was severely repressed. In 1974 he survived two coup attempts and also…
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…himself overthrew the leftist General Juan José Torres on August 22, 1971. Bánzer encouraged foreign investment, but his restrictive policies regarding union activity and constitutional liberties led to opposition from labour leaders, clergymen, peasants, and students. All opposition was severely repressed. In 1974 he survived two coup attempts and also…
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Bolivia
Return to military rule
Juan José Torres. Of the several military regimes that governed between 1964 and 1979, that led by Torres was the most radical; for a time the Torres government replaced Congress with a workers’ soviet. In 1971 Torres was replaced by Col. Hugo Banzer Suárez, and…
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Juan José Torres. Of the several military regimes that governed between 1964 and 1979, that led by Torres was the most radical; for a time the Torres government replaced Congress with a workers’ soviet. In 1971 Torres was replaced by Col. Hugo Banzer Suárez, and…
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