Toro, David (1898–1977)

David Toro (b. 24 June 1898; d. 25 July 1977), president of Bolivia (1936–1937). Born in Sucre, Toro rose from military cadet to chief of staff during the Chaco War. Together with army officer Germán Busch he overthrew the civilian president José Luis Tejada Sorzano in May 1936, and Toro became president. Toro initiated a nationalistic government of "state syndicalism" and "military socialism," which included tax and banking reforms and the establishment of syndicates (unions) that all interest groups were expected to join. The possessions of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey were nationalized and the Bolivian state oil monopoly (Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos—YPFB), still an important Bolivian agency, was established. Nearly all other social and economic changes were unsuccessful, but a pivotal accomplishment of the Toro period was a decree granting women total equality in all endeavors. The Toro presidency was the very beginning of the great changes that took place in Bolivia after the Chaco War. In July 1937 Busch took over the presidency in a bloodless coup. As ex-president, Toro remained moderately active in government and civic affairs.

See alsoBolivia: Since 1825; Chaco War; Tejada Sorzano, José Luis.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Quién es quién en Bolivia (1942).

Porfirio Diaz Machicao, Toro, Busch, Quintanilla, 1936–1940 (1957).

Carlos D. Mesa Gisbert, Presidentes de Bolivia: Entre urnas y fusiles (1990).

Additional Bibliography

Durán S., Juan Carlos. Germán Busch y los orígenes de la revolución nacional: Fragmentos para una biografía. La Paz: Honorable Senado Nacional, 1999.

Taboada Terán, Néstor. Tierra mártir: Del socialismo de David Toro al socialismo de Evo Morales. Bolivia: s.n., 2006.

                                   Charles W. Arnade