Barrientos Ortuño, René (1919–1969)

Bolivian military leader and president 1966–69. He launched a moderate (albeit military) administration, maintaining the conservative reforms instituted by his predecessors.

While a commander in the Bolivian air force, he actively supported the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR) – the majority political party. In 1964 he was elected vice-president, under Victor Paz Estenssoro. Later in 1964, Paz Estenssoro was overthrown by Barrientos, as head of a military junta, thus initiating another period of military rule and political instability. In May 1965, Alfredo Ovando Candia joined him as co-president, but Barrientos became sole president after winning the 1966 elections. He was killed in a helicopter crash and was succeeded by his vice president, Luis Adolfo Siles Salinas.