Tomás Monje

Tomás Monje Gutierréz (21 December 1884 – 1 July 1954) was President of Bolivia between August 1946 and March 1947.

Background and earlier career

Born in Coroico, department of La Paz, he was a noted intellectual and judge. He served as deputy minister of agriculture 1926-27, after which he was appointed minister of the government and justice. From 1930 until 1936 he was Attorney general.

President of Bolivia

In his capacity as head of the Bolivian Supreme Court, he was named President by the forces that toppled President Gualberto Villarroel via coup d'état on July 21, 1946. Monje happened to be ill at the time, however, which is why his deputy, Néstor Guillén, filled in for him for 27 days, until Monje was well enough to be sworn in August of the same year. Very much a caretaker president, Monje Gutiérrez was in charge with the simple task of calling elections as soon as possible. This done, he transferred power to the winner of the January 1947 elections, the conservative Enrique Hertzog.

Post-Presidency and death

At that point Monje returned to relative obscurity, dying in La Paz on July 1, 1954.

Sources

• Mesa José de; Gisbert, Teresa; and Carlos D. Mesa, "Historia de Bolivia", 3rd edition. pp. 577–578.