Luis García Meza

Bolivian military leader

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July 16, 2026

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Luis García Meza was a Bolivian military leader who seized power in a bloody coup in July 1980. His regime, which lasted for 13 months, was characterized by widespread human rights abuses, including murder, torture, and political persecution. His government hired paramilitary groups to suppress opposition and was plagued by corruption. The regime quickly lost international credibility due to its repressive tactics and accusations of involvement in illegal cocaine trafficking, earning the coup the moniker "cocaine coup." García Meza resigned in August 1981 amid mounting opposition and economic deterioration. He was later extradited from Brazil and convicted in Bolivia.1

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Bolivia
Transition to civilian rule
Luis García Meza committed widespread murders, incidents of torture, forced exiles, and political persecution. The government hired militant fascists (including ex-Nazis) and other paramilitary groups to attack opposition political and labor leaders, and corruption was widespread among military officers.
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Luis García Meza committed widespread murders, incidents of torture, forced exiles, and political persecution. The government hired militant fascists (including ex-Nazis) and other paramilitary groups to attack opposition political and labor leaders, and corruption was widespread among military officers.
Read More