Jeanine Áñez

Jeanine Áñez, born on June thirteenth, nineteen sixty-seven, is a prominent Bolivian lawyer, politician, and television presenter. She made history by serving as the sixty-sixth president of Bolivia from two thousand nineteen to two thousand twenty. A graduate of the José Ballivián Autonomous University, Áñez began her career in television journalism before transitioning into politics, where she became an advocate for departmental autonomy.

Her political journey began in two thousand six when she was elected as a uninominal member of the Constituent Assembly, representing Beni. This role allowed her to contribute to the drafting of a new constitution for Bolivia. Following this, she served two terms as senator for Beni, first with the National Convergence alliance and later with the Social Democratic Movement, where she became a key figure in the Democratic Unity coalition.

In the wake of political turmoil and the resignation of President Evo Morales in late two thousand nineteen, Áñez declared herself next in line for the presidency. She assumed the role after a controversial session of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, which was marked by the absence of Morales' party members. Her presidency was characterized by significant actions, including the controversial decree that removed criminal liability for military and police forces during protests.

After her presidency ended in November two thousand twenty, Áñez attempted to run for governor of Beni but faced legal challenges related to her time in office. Her subsequent arrest and charges of involvement in an alleged coup d'état were met with accusations of political persecution. In June two thousand twenty-two, she was sentenced to ten years in prison, a verdict that sparked international concern. However, her conviction was annulled by the Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Bolivia in November two thousand twenty-five, leading to her release.