Original version

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

Witness History: The hunger-striking Bolivian president

Documentaries

The hunger-striking Bolivian president

15/01/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The hunger-striking Bolivian president

In 1984, President Zuazo went on hunger strike, in an attempt to stabilise Bolivia

The president of Bolivia, Dr Hernán Siles Zuazo, went on hunger strike in 1984. He wanted to stop public unrest around the country and crack down on the cocaine trade.

In Bolivia, on 25 October 1984, President Hernán Siles Zuazo announced he was going on hunger strike. 

He was trying to stop the booming cocaine industry in his country. It was the second time he had taken the job of president and he had been on hunger strike several times before. 

His daughter Marcela Siles, tells Laura Jones about her father.

(Photo: President Zuazo. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

The hunger-striking Bolivian president

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service East Asia

About BBC World Service