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Title: Juan Lechín Oquendo papers
Date (inclusive): 1952-2002
Collection Number: 2004C14
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
21 manuscript boxes, 2 oversize boxes
(8.8 Linear Feet)
Abstract: The papers provide an overview of the life and career of a prominent Bolivian trade unionist and politician, Juan Lechín Oquendo
who served as head of the powerful Central Obrera Boliviana for 35 years (1952-1987), and was vice president of Bolivia from
1960-1964. Correspondence, speeches and writings, reports, studies, copies of government documents and trade union records,
printed matter, sound recordings of interviews, photographs, and memorabilia in the papers relate to miners' unions in Bolivia
and the Central Obrera Boliviana, the Bolivian revolution of 1952, as well as subsequent political and economic developments
in Bolivia.
Creator:
Lechín Oquendo, Juan
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Box 23 may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research; materials
must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the collection,
they must be reformatted before providing access.
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Materials were acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 2004
[Identification of item], Juan Lechín Oquendo papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives
| 1914 May 18 | Born, Corocoro, Bolivia |
| 1944 | Elected general secretary, Federación Sindical de Trabajadores Mineros de Bolivia (FSTMB) |
| 1952 | Participates in Bolivian National Revolution as a member of the Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario (MNR), and is named Minister of Mines. Becomes Executive Secretary of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) |
| 1960 | Elected vice-president of Bolivia |
| 1964 | Leaves MNR and forms the Partido Revolucionario de Izquierda Nacional (PRIN) |
| 1965-1971 | In political exile |
| 1971 | Returns to Bolivia and is active in the creation of the Asamblea Popular |
| 1972-1978 | In political exile |
| 1980 | Runs unsuccessfully for president as candidate of the PRIN |
| 1987 | Retires as leader of the FSTMB and COB |
| 2000 | Author, Memorias |
| 2001 | Died |
Scope and Content of Collection
Acquired in 2004, the Juan Lechín Oquendo papers in the Hoover Institution Library & Archives provide an overview of the life
and career of a prominent Bolivian trade unionist and politician. Lechín Oquendo served as head of the powerful Central Obrera
Boliviana for 35 years (1952-1987), and in this capacity he not only defended the interests of Bolivian workers, but became
involved in the turbulent politics of his country. At various times, Lechín Oquendo served as government minister, as vice-president
of Bolivia, and as the leader of an important opposition party. During several periods of military rule in Bolivia, Lechín
Oquendo was forced into political exile.
There are significant biographical materials in the papers. In addition to numerous clippings, the Biographical File contains
a number of writings on Lechín Oquendo, including a major biography. The Speeches and Writings series contains Lechín Oquendo's
autobiography, and in the Sound Recordings series there are a number of extensive interviews with him. The Photographs series
contains a large number of prints depicting Lechín Oquendo, including many relating to his political and trade union activities.
The Political Parties and Trade Unions File is comprised largely of publications by Bolivian political parties and trade unions,
including the organizations that Lechín Oquendo was affiliated with: the Central Obrera Boliviano, the Federacíon Sindical
de Trabjadores Mineros de Bolivia, and the Partido Revolucionario de Izquierdo. Materials about the Bolivian economy, and
especially its mining sector, can be found in the Subject File.
The Juan Claudio Lechín Weise File is devoted to Lechín Oquendo's son, and consists primarily of his published writings. The
Printed Matter series consists largely of publications relating to Bolivian politics and history, with an emphasis on the
National Revolution of 1952.
The collection is organized into 11 series: Biographical File, Correspondence, Speeches and Writings, Political Parties and
Trade Unions File, Juan Claudio Lechín Weise File, Subject File, Writings by Others, Printed Matter, Photographs, Sound Recordings,
and Oversize Materials
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Audiotapes
Bolivia -- Politics and government
Labor unions -- Bolivia
Miners -- Bolivia
Bolivia -- History -- Revolution, 1952
Bolivia -- Economic conditions
Central Obrera Boliviana