Banzer

"Author defends Hugo Banzer Suárez's 1970s dictatorship and places the retired general among Bolivia's most important heroes. Banzer, in addition to his 1971-78 presidency, did assist in Bolivia's democratization by accepting the 1985 congressional election of Víctor Paz Estenssoro, and by providing critical political support in order to help stabilize the economy. Banzer's party, Acción Democrática Nacionalista, also co-governed with Jaime Paz Zamora from 1989-93. However, author does not attempt to balance these positive aspects of Banzer's career with his leadership of one of the most brutal and corrupt governments of the 20th century"--Handbook of Latin American Studies, v. 57.