Paz, (Estenssoro) Victor (1907–2001)

Bolivian president 1952–56, 1960–64, and 1985–89. He founded and led the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR), which seized power in 1952. His regime extended the vote to Indians, nationalized the country's largest tin mines, embarked on a programme of agrarian reform, and brought inflation under control.

After holding a number of financial posts, Paz entered politics in the 1930s, was elected to the chamber of deputies in 1940, and founded the MNR in 1942. In 1946 he fled to Argentina during one of Bolivia's many periods of military rule, returning in 1951 and becoming president in 1952. He immediately embarked on a programme of political reform, retaining the presidency until 1956 and being re-elected 1960–64 and again in 1985, returning from near-retirement at the age of 77. During his long career he was Bolivian ambassador to London 1956–59 and a professor at London University in 1966. Following an indecisive presidential contest in 1989, Paz was replaced by Jaime Paz Zamora of the Movement of the Revolutionary Left (MIR).