Miguel Urioste, Bolivian agrarian economist and political leader, dies

Bolivian economist, researcher, and political leader Miguel Urioste Fernández de Córdoba has passed away following a long illness. Born in Sucre in 1948, Urioste was a prominent figure in the study of Bolivia’s agrarian reality, land tenure, and the living conditions of indigenous and peasant communities.

As the founder of Fundación Tierra, Urioste drove critical research and debate regarding rural inequality and the need for structural agrarian reforms. His work focused on understanding the transformations within the Bolivian countryside and the complexities of land distribution.

Beyond academia, Urioste had a significant political career. He was a member of the Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR) and later the Movimiento Bolivia Libre (MBL), for which he ran for the presidency of Bolivia in 1997. He was also known for his role as a whistleblower in major corruption cases, including the Bolibras case involving irregular land acquisitions and the CAC-Fancesa scandal.

Following his death, former President Carlos Mesa praised Urioste’s integrity and ethical principles, describing him as a committed figure and a lasting example for the country.