Victor Hugo Cárdenas | Victor Hugo Cárdenas is an indigenous Aymara politician, educator, and activist. He was born in Achica Bajo, a village on the shores of Lake Titicaca in Bolivia. In an attempt to mask his indigenous origin and to prevent hindrances to his educational and professional advancement, his father changed his last name from Choquehuanca to Cárdenas. Considered a philosopher and intellectual, Cárdenas served as the former Vice President of Bolivia from 1993-1997. In 1994 he played a large role in changing the constitution, which brought about the perception of Bolivia as a multi-cultural society. In addition, Cárdenas has contributed to education reform including bilingual and intercultural education. He is the leader of the Tupac Katari Revolutionary Movement of Liberation as well as Fondo Indígena. Cárdenas plans to run for Presidency of Bolivia in the upcoming 2009 elections.
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