Pablo Busch | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Busch, c. 1930 | |
| Subprefect of Ñuflo de Chávez Province | |
| In office June 1924 – 6 October 1925 | |
| Appointed by | Bautista Saavedra |
| Preceded by | César Banzer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Paul Busch 4 November 1867 Königsaue, Kingdom of Prussia, North German Confederation |
| Died | 3 May 1950 (aged 82) Portachuelo, Santa Cruz, Bolivia |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Raquel Becerra Villavicencio
(m. 1893; sep. 1903)Enriqueta Antelo Hurtado
(m. 1912, separated) |
| Domestic partner | Petrona Baldivieso (c. 1908–1910) |
| Children | 9, including Germán |
| Relatives | Alberto Natusch (grandson) |
| Occupation |
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Pablo Busch Wiesener (born Paul Busch;[α] 4 November 1867 – 3 May 1950) was a German-born explorer, physician, and politician. He served as subprefect of Ñuflo de Chávez Province from 1924 to 1925 and was the estranged father of Germán Busch, the president of Bolivia from 1937 to 1939.
Born in Königsaue and educated as a surgeon, Busch emigrated from Imperial Germany to eastern Bolivia during the Amazon rubber boom. He was a shareholder and branch manager of the German-run trading company Zeller & Co., and made several medical expeditions along the Amazon and its tributaries. Busch led a nomadic lifestyle, with a presence in various communities in Beni and Santa Cruz. He started and abandoned multiple families and left many descendants throughout his lifetime.
During the Acre War, Busch lent logistical support to the Bolivian expeditionary force commanded by President José Manuel Pando. He gained personal recognition for his anti-blockade actions against Brazilian separatists. In politics, he was a member of the Republican Party and served as subprefect of the Ñuflo de Chávez Province. His harsh reign and ruthless imposition of order amid rampant banditry made him infamous across the department.
Busch reconnected with his son Germán in 1937 and was a trusted member of the president's administration. Historians partially attribute his influence to improved Bolivian–German relations during this time. Busch was caught in Germany during the outbreak of World War II and was interned after the conflict's conclusion. Bolivian diplomatic efforts secured his repatriation, and he died in Portachuelo.
- ^ Brockmann 2017, pp. 22, 29.
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