Fernando Bravo James
Fernando Bravo James ([fernan’do ‘braßo xa’mes] Spanish pronunciation). (1912–1962) was a Bolivian politician, militant of POR (Partido Obrero Revolucionario) of Trotskyist tendency.[1] He was an economist, senior lecturer at the "Universidad Técnica de Oruro" (UTO) and at the "Universidad Mayor de San Andrés" (UMSA), trade union leader and educator. He was known as a tireless fighter for the cause of the proletariat and the youth.[2][3][4][5][6]
Fernando Bravo James | |
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![]() Fernando Bravo James in La Paz, Bolivia in 1960 (Fernando Bravo James Archives (FBJA). | |
Born | 19 October 1912 Potosí, Bolivia |
Died | 17 November 1962 50) La Paz, Bolivia | (aged
Resting place | "Cementerio General" in La Paz, Bolivia. |
Alma mater | Universidad Técnica de Oruro (UTO) and Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA) |
Occupation | Economist, senior lecturer, educator |
Known for | Militant of the "Partido Obrero Revolucionario" (POR). Author of the "Pacto Obrero-Universitario" (Labour-University Pact) antecedent of the "Tesis de Pulacayo" (Pulacayo Thesis). Co-author in the writing of the "Tesis de Pulacayo" |
Spouse(s) | Elsa Cladera Encinas |
Children | Elsa Nadezhda, Emma Bolshia, María Alexandra |
Biography
The man
![](../I/m/Fernando_Bravo_James%2C_young_(Potos%C3%AD_1912-_La_paz_1962)_002.jpg)
The father of Fernando Bravo James, doctor Zacarías Bravo Miranda, was one of the doctors who graduated from the first class of the Potosí medical school at the "Universidad Tomás Frías", founded in 1892. Fernando's mother, María James Revilla, was born in Potosí. The surname James comes from Maria's father, Benjamín James, who was of Irish origin. The couple had five children: Carmela, Sofía, Fernando, Gaby and María Luisa Bravo James. The siblings on the fathers genealogy were an older brother Esteban Bravo and on the mother's side, one younger sister and brother, Betty and Jorge López James.[7][8] Bravo James did his primary studies at the "Colegio Nacional Pichincha" in Potosí. He continued his studies at the American Institute[9] of La Paz where he graduated from high school. Fernando had many qualities: he was easy to deal with and pleasant in his conversation. He had a silvery and melodious voice. He was accustomed to and enjoyed singing with his three daughters. He composed a libretto of revolutionary songs for the political party POR based on well-known and popular melodies for whom he wrote the lyrics.[10]
"Those who knew him perfectly remember his eternal state of cordial serenity", writes Jaime Amonzabel.[11] "Never showed in Bravo James the pose, much less the contemptuous self-sufficiency towards the interlocutor. And this transcendent simplicity of human affection, towards those who at some time approached him, accompany him throughout his existence."[12] Lucha Obrera points out Fernando's "value as an intellectual and his dynamic and rich activity in the hearth of the masses". Fernando Bravo "was above all a Trotskyist militant. His personality was fused into the organization, to the revolutionary process, to the flesh and bones of the workers, as he used to say."[13][14] Fernando Bravo James dedicated his life to his political ideals and he did so consistently. Elsa Cladera de Bravo testifies: "He never compromised with his principles. He fought without hesitation or yielding (…) he was like steel that breaks and does not bend. He had a clear concept of his duty."[15]
Political integration/POR
![](../I/m/POR_1940s_(1).jpg)
Bravo James "belonged to the generation that witnessed and participated in the Chaco War [1932–1935]. His spirit was shaken by the war fought by imperialism. On his return from the Chaco [region] he joined, while still very young, the political currents that sought an explanation and a solution to the problems of Bolivia." After his participation in that war with Paraguay, he moved to the mining site of La Joya and "soon joined the nascent mining workers’ movement."[16] It was in the department of Oruro, where Bravo James began his political integration in the POR, Trotskyist tendency, back in the 1940s and then continued doing so until his death.[17] "Indefatigable for more than 25 years, Comrade Fernando Bravo, as a militant and leader of the POR, was dedicated to the revolutionary struggles of the Bolivian masses", states Lucha Obrera.[18][19]
Meeting with Elsa Cladera Encinas
Elsa and Fernando met in Oruro in 1942. In that same year on 21 December, the Catavi massacre took place. "There in the pampas that were later named "María Barzola", a manifestation of 8 000 persons, where the front lines occupied by women and children were fired at."[20] With this background, Elsa tells of her meeting with Fernando:
"On that day, December 21, 1942, me and my fellow classmates from the secondary school "Olañeta" were in the “Plaza 10 de Febrero"; we knew that the university students would come to the demonstration, so we were waiting. Once they entered the square, we placed ourselves on the benches, standing in front of the prefecture. They were going to pass under the balcony of the prefecture, where the Prefect and the Colonel Cuenca were standing at a distance of twenty meters. A university student (Fernando Bravo), of regular height goes ahead and with his arm raised and with an accusing finger shouts:
–Down with the slaughter of Catavi! –Down! the university students rejoined. Immediately the police surrounded the demonstrators, the people in turn made a circle around them. We got into the circle and managed to grab Bravo from the police and we ran until we lost sight of them, helping Bravo to be escape." Elsa Cladera de Bravo, Oruro, 1943[21] |
This was the event that captured Elsa's hearth, they were married in 1943. Fernando and Elsa had three daughters.
University student, senior lecturer
“As a university student, Fernando Bravo attended the National Congresses and held management positions from where he promoted the student alliance with the mine workers"[22] In 1943 Fernando Bravo James was General Secretary of the Center for Economic Sciences Students of the "Universidad Técnica de Oruro".[23]
Bravo James graduated as a financial auditor in 1945 and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economic Sciences in 1949 from the "Universidad Técnica de Oruro". He was one of the senior lecturers "forged in the own classrooms and whose merit is indisputable", writes Barrón Feraudi,[24] "Fernando Bravo James […] high carat intellectual, honest politician and indefatigable social fighter alongside the national majorities, he dictated with sufficiency and youthful teaching ardor, the subject of General and National Economic Geography for more than seven years. In 1956 he moves to La Paz, where through selection by a competitive examination, he teaches the same subject at the university of that city at the Faculty of Economics".[25][26] Fernando Bravo James also lectured on Historical Materialism at the "Universidad Obrera de Oruro" from 1950 to 1956. He will be senior lecturer of Economic Sciences at the "Universidad Mayor de San Andrés" in La Paz from 1956 to 1962.[27]
Tireless fighter for the cause for the proletariat and youth
Labor-University Pact antecedent of the Pulacayo Thesis
![](../I/m/POR-rally_Oruro_august_1946.jpg)
"It was, however, with the mine workers with whom Fernando Bravo shared their conflicts and struggles since 1942", writes Lucha Obrera[28]. "He participated in the organization of the "Federación Sindical de Trabajadores Mineros de Bolivia" (FSTMB) [Mining Federation], but not only in the organizational tasks proper, but also in the doctrinal orientation of the miners." In continuation the editor of Lucha Obrera, writes. "On [July 29], 1946 he signed the "Pacto Obrero -Universitario" [Workers-University Pact] in Catavi. The Pact was elaborated on the basis of a program prepared by him; it was the first time that a Pact of this nature was elaborated. In addition to many mining-university claims, the fundamental point of this Pact was the nationalization of the mines which was the national objective during all that time", Elsa Cladera de Bravo testifies.[29] "Nobody has mentioned until now (…) the university-mining Pact of July 1946 as an immediate antecedent of the "Pulacayo Thesis" and thus one of the indispensable premises to understand that it has been overlooked", points out Guillermo Lora.[30]
The worker-university pact, signed in 1946
The Pact between the "Federación Sindical de Trabajadores Mineros de Bolivia" (FSTMB) and University Federation of Oruro. The representatives of the FSTMB and the delegates of the revolutionary University Committee of Oruro signed the following university workers' agreement as a condition for the resumption of work in the mines and for greater guarantee of this pact is endorsed by the General Secretary of the University Federation of Oruro. 1) The workers of the mines support the university students of Oruro as long as they do not deviate from the revolutionary line established by the program of principles of the FUL (Federación Universitaria Local) and the present agreement. The FSTMB will resort to direct mass action to guarantee strict compliance with its aspirations. 2) The university students are committed to fight using all means necessary for the realization of the points supported by the FSTMB in the present pact. University Students and Miners agree on the following: 3) Fight against the "ROSCA" [The super state represented by the three miners: Patiño, Hochschild and Aramayo] and its agents to avoid by all means that they do not claim the power. 4) Organization of Mixed Student Worker Committees, to control the revolutionary situation created. 5) Impose the points approved in the third Congress of Miners: a) Mobile salary scale. b) Mobile scale of working hours. c) Collective contract. d) Removal of cheap groceries with their respective readjustment and regulation. e) Freedom of assembly, organization, press and propaganda. f) Strict compliance with all laws and decrees that benefit the working classes, which were dictated by the previous government. g) Cancellation of the unionization office of the Ministry of Labor. 6) Direct control worker-university, in the administration of mines. 7) Broad guarantees for the leaders and mass of the FSTMB, union and university organizations. 8) Right to organize for public employees in general and for the elements of the League of the Magisterium in a particular way. 9) Restoration of Educational Autonomy. 10) The workers will be represented in the Governing Board by members democratically designated by the trade union organizations (FSTMB, RAILWAY WORKERS, GRAPHIC WORKERS, DRIVERS and OTHERS). 11) Delivery of arms to the workers as a means to fight for the defense of social laws against the pretensions of the "ROSCA" and for social revolution. 12) Formation of the proletarian united front. 13) Unique address of the workers in the Insurance and labor Savings Plan, railway retirements, teachers and other similar institutions. Fernando Bravo James, La Patria, Oruro (30 July 1946)[31][32][33] |
The Worker-University pact is the antecedent of the "Pulacayo Thesis" (Tesis de Pulacayo). It states that the workers and the university students will fight together against the "ROSCA". They advocate a series of social demands such as the creation of student committees, the mobile salary scale, the regulation of working hours, collective bargaining, workers control, trade union independence, educational autonomy, the proletarian united front, weapons for the workers as a measure of defense of social laws.[34][35]
The "Tesis de Pulacayo" is written
![](../I/m/Oruro_FBs_house_ca_1947.jpg)
The house at the corner of Ayacucho and Presidente Montes streets in Oruro, property of the Encinas family, will fulfill in 1946 a historical role related with the advancement of the thriving mining proletariat. Elsa Cladera de Bravo testifies, that it was in this house that the Pulacayo Thesis, the political program of the miners, was written. In an interview with Elsa, at the "Hôpital Cantonal"[36] in Fribourg, Switzerland, in 2001, I inquired about the writing of the Pulacayo Thesis. Elsa says "It was written in my house, among those who participated in the wording: Barrientos from Cochabamba; Ayala Mercado (…)", I asked if Fernando Bravo intervened in such writing, Elsa replies: "he also contributed, but Lora (…) wanted to be known as the sole author of the Pulacayo Thesis." [37][38]. However, Bravo James "was part of the team that developed the famous Pulacayo Thesis", testifies the editor of Lucha Obrera.[39] In summary "the party developed the Pulacayo Thesis for the miners of Llallagua to present it", John writes quoting Hugo González. [40]
It was at the mine workers’ Congress in Pulacayo on 8 November 1946 that the "Tesis de Pulacayo" was presented. "Two of the youngest and most active members of the POR attended the Congress; Guillermo Lora (…) and Fernando Bravo (…)", writes James Dunkerley,[41] "Lora and Bravo (…) they managed to obtain the support of an extensive political resolution (…)". Dunkerley refers to the Pulacayo Thesis which in his opinion "was, in essence, an adaptation to the Bolivian situation of the Transitional Program written by Trotsky in 1938."[42]
As for its approval, it was Fernando Bravo who "defended the thesis (…) got it approved in the mines (…), because he was at the level of the working class, as a trade unionist, as a teacher, he had access to the "Central Obrera Boliviana" (COB), and from that level he had the thesis approved. It was [him] who got it approved", Elsa adds. It was Elsa Cladera de Bravo who transcribed the original of the Pulacayo Thesis, her daughter Emma Bolshia states in an interview with Steven Sándor John for his book Bolivias Radical Tradition. Permanent Revolution in the Andes.[43] In another interview, in the aforementioned book by John, Hugo González, leader of the POR group, in which Fernando Bravo was active after the split of the party in the 1950s, alludes to a song about Pulacayo's Thesis.[44] The literary skills of Fernando in the composition of the texts of the songs for the POR have already mentioned. This is the song composed by Fernando Bravo James for the Pulacayo Thesis:
LLallagua/
Llallagua mining/ your unions,/ with the poristas/ gave the Thesis/ of Pulacayo./ From your miners/ comes the insufflation/ for the struggles/ for the government/ for the workers./ You are the pride/ of Bolivia,/ with Siglo XX/ and your Catavi/ is the head/ La la la la la. |
Participation in the government elections in 1956
In 1956 the POR-Lucha Obrera decided to participate in government elections. "Political personalities such as Fernando Bravo, who was joined by Gonzalez, undertook a high-level campaign against the MNR," according to Dunkerley.[46] Although the intention seems to be another: "They said they were going to announce the candidacy simply to take advantage of the situation, that moment of the elections, to make all the political propaganda possible, because they had no opportunity to make a profuse propaganda (...) It is then that Fernando worked as never before with the militants bringing propaganda to all the mines", says Elsa Cladera de Bravo.[47] The POR-Lucha Obrera nominated Hugo González for the presidency and Fernando Bravo James for the vice presidency.
In the June 1977 interview, Marcelo Quezada, asks Elsa about the 1956 elections and also about the merits that Fernando Bravo James had to be a candidate for the vice presidency:
—He [56] is a vice presidential candidate, asks Marcelo Quezada.
—Yes, with González, answers Elsa. —Yes, with González. Was he a well-known person? What were the reasons for choosing him for the vice-precidency? Had Fernando ever been an active trade-unionist? -asks Marcelo Quezada. —He was politically well known in his party. He was a very respected man, a capable man, a man with a clear vision, an honest man, and he also had a long experience of political struggle, and that is why he has ascendency in his party, answers Elsa. —Did you participate in the election campaign? –asks Marcelo Quezada. —Yes, yes. I participated a great deal cooperating with my husband! I moved a lot to encourage people to support us in Oruro, answers Elsa. Elsa Cladera de Bravo, Marcelo Quezada, Fribourg, Switzerland, 1977[48] |
The Fifth Congress of the Fourth International, October 1957
In September 1957 Fernando travels to Paris as a delegate of his party to the Congress of the Fourth International. He embarks in Buenos Aires and, on the ship, he writes:
Dear Elsiña, Nadezhda, Bolshia and Alexandra:
We are on our way to Dakar, we have not seen land for three and a half days and we will reach the African coast tomorrow afternoon, where I will post this letter. I look forward to hearing from you upon my arrival in Paris (…) Again, I hope that all matters have been settled smoothly. I am constantly worried about your economic situation; much more so if things are so different here. The misery in which one lives there is unfortunate and exacerbating. We have every reason in the world to be a rebellious people and to be so until radical changes are imposed. I certainly hope you could have come with me on this trip! There are so many children around me, who enjoy this trip! But that makes us think all the more! The time will come! (…) With love, kisses and my best memories. Fernando PS: I'm half naked and dripping with sweat! It's hot! Fernando Bravo James, at high sea, 9 September 1957[49] |
Upon his return from his trip to Europe, Fernando brought abundant information. From France came political, cultural news and enthusiasm that marked that trip. He brought with him an album with songs sung by Yves Montand in which he sang melodies like Les Temps des cerises, Le Chant des partisans; glasses, a gift from Ernest Mandel[50] for the family. From Spain he transmitted the impression of a retrograde country that lived under Franco's dictatorship.[51]
Educator
Fernando was a man with a positive attitude in his conception of life. He always relied on changes to improve the world politically, socially and economically. "Fully aware of the reality of his people and its multiple problems, he easily transmitted his accumulated experience in words." At school "his work was carried out with enthusiasm, colleagues appreciated him for his simplicity and sincerity, the students valued him because he was a laborious, optimistic teacher, full of initiatives and faith in the transformations that would take place in Bolivia and in the world", writes Elsa Cladera de Bravo.[52] In an allocution delivered to the colleagues and students of the school "Ildefonso Murguía", in Oruro, several of the pedagogical ideas of Bravo James are written down. He talks about the organization of the school: "Every school is a community where the organizing process is indispensable, and of tremendous work, importance and power. In our opinion children must organize their own life in school, in order to develop those collectivist characters".[53] He compares the school to a small society and emphasizes the importance of creating the way of working and in the student organization, the concept of autonomy which is of special importance, since it signifies the responsibility with which the students will act. Bravo James explains the named characteristics in the organization of the school:
If each of you lived by oneself you would not know how to meet your individual needs. You could not eat, you would have no shoes or clothes to wear. One person alone cannot fulfill the functions of a farmer, a baker, a shoemaker a tailor etc. at the same time. Actually, you would ceased to exist. We can only live and develop only because we live in society, collectively, because one person's work benefits other people. So, for example, the shoes that you put on, the shoemaker and the tanner have been working far from where you live. Later in the shoe factory, dozens of shoemakers put many a pair of shoes in condition to be used and finally the retailer in the store sells us footwear. You see, and so it is with all clothes that you are wearing. Each one of us depends, then, on the work of many thousands of people whom we do not even know. In school, a small society of children and teachers, the same thing happens. We can only study and learn our lessons, collaborating with one another, among students and teachers. But just as life in society must be organized in an orderly manner to give better results, so does work in school. Hence the importance of creating a mode of working, with enthusiasm, cheerfulness and determination, to obtain the best results.
(…) Within the organization itself, children will be able to act with full freedom and autonomy, that is education under their own responsibility. Its objective is to relieve the teacher of the care to ensure order. The guiding, suggestive authority advised by a mature mind expresses itself with much more vigor in that way than by the simple mechanism of pure school discipline. In this way we will be able to educate ourselves in an integral way, that is to say complete. Not only do we come to school to learn the lessons, but mainly to forge our character, to endow ourselves with moral sources that allow us to face all the problems that life puts in front of us and overcome them in a brave and just manner. Fernando Bravo James, Oruro, (Possible 1950–1956)[54] |
Teachers' strike rally 1962
![](../I/m/Fernando_Bravo_speaking_at_teachers_strike_rally_1962.jpg)
In 1962 Fernando Bravo became seriously ill. In spite of his fragile state of health he continued with the teachers' union struggle that turned into a strike in 1962. As the leader of the teachers of La Paz Fernando organized and led the strike. "He served as Chairman of the Strike Committee (...) The doctors prescribed absolute rest. But he could not admit that and would not abandon the fight. He did not obey the doctors and continued to lead the strike." Likewise, "in this movement new methods of struggle were introduced, such as 'lightning rallies' in the popular neighborhoods and throughout the city. The objective was to incorporate the population in support of the teachers' strike, that is, to link the strike to the population itself. The success of the strike was especially due to this social bond", writes Elsa Cladera de Bravo. The "lightning rallies" consisted of groups of teachers who suddenly appeared in a certain place to launch his preaching in a loud voice, like minstrels in the Middle Ages. After this quick intervention, it was the turn of another group in another place. The "lightning" interventions of the action groups were synchronized in such a way that when one group had finished its mission, another group started elsewhere. In this way, the police vigilance was impossible. The police were incapable of knowing where the different action groups would be and could not be at all the different locations of the "rallies".[55][56]
Fernando Bravo James lives in the thoughts and hearts of Trotskyist militants
The death of Fernando Bravo James was "a tragic blow of a national nature, his personality and his performance as a fighter was known to all the workers and student sectors. The burial of his remains was therefore a political event", writes Lucha Obrera. "The University opened the doors of the Rector's Hall of Honor and there he was paid posthumous tributes. Workers from different branches, students and university students, peasants, political and union leaders, Trotskyist militants, sympathizers and friends went there to say goodbye".[57] The urban magisterium decreed national mourning for eight days, 24 hours with work suspension. The Faculty of Economics of the "Universidad Técnica de Oruro", of which he had been Senior Lecturer, declared an act of mourning for his death.[58]
In the Hall of the "Universidad Mayor de San Andrés" (UMSA), where the catafalque was located, an honor guard of POR militants and FSTMB workers made a 24-hour shift. The UMSA atrium sheltered the schools Fernando Bravo had worked. Lucha Obrera published an interesting report about the funeral:
At the beginning of the transfer of the remains at the door of the "Universidad Mayor de San Andrés" spoke: The dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences Dr Nava Morales expressing the message on the behalf of the House of Studies and of the entire University; the Secretary General of the POR (...) Hugo González Moscoso; Mr. Jaime Bravo on behalf of the Federation of Urban Teachers of La Paz, the representative of the Student Center of the Faculty of Economics and the delegate of the "Central Obrera Boliviana".
The coffin, taken by the leaders of the POR, the university and union leaders, was conducted in the middle of a flowery street and to the chords of a funeral march executed by the Waldo Ballivian Regiment band. About three thousand people accompanied the coffin, including teachers, students and university students, union leaders, workers, peasants who reflected deep regret. A bouquet of red gladioli was placed on the coffin. The coffin with the remains of Comrade Bravo was carried on shoulders to the height of the "Comibol" building, from the university, and there were heard the speeches of Dr. Octavio Lazo de la Vega representative of the "Centro de Acción Potosina" and the delegate of the "Federación Sindical de Trabajadores Mineros de Bolivia" (FSTMB) [colleague] Enrique Salinas, from here the funeral procession was moved to the cemetery in mobilities. There were other speeches before the niche. The "compañero" José Navarro spoke, on behalf of the workers' cells of the party; then the teachers’ leader; Mr. Villarroel, who deposited a bouquet of red carnations. Finally, the Trotskyist youth leader, comrade José Moreno, paid the last tribute and fulfilled Comrade Fernando Bravo's last will, wrapping his body with the Red flag of the POR (...) and the Fourth International in which Comrade Bravo himself had painted the hammer and sickle, with the number four of the Fourth International. Then the clarion call was heard. The comrades concluded by cheering the party and the 4th international and giving glories to the dead comrade.[59] “Sepelio de los restos del camarada Bravo", Lucha Obrera, La Paz (February 1963). |
There were numerous words of posthumous tribute addressed to Fernando Bravo James by labor, academic, political, civic organizations. Among these stand out the simple and emotion-filled words of Enrique Salinas from the "Federación Sindical de Trabajadores Mineros de Bolivia" (FSTMB): "The miners, through their bloody struggles, were att all times guided by the selfless orientation of this great revolutionary, which is why we feel this irreparable loss, as the cadres of his party and his troubled family feel, but we are sure that the principles which he sustained and for which he fought tirelessly throughout his life, will be an incentive for the realization of the destinies of the exploited Bolivia".[60]
The words from Cecilio Alcón representative of POR-Lucha Obrera: "Comrade Bravo is dead! Like all the idealists, YOU COMRADE FERNANDO has been misunderstood, perhaps by our own and strangers, but it must comfort us to say that your life does not need to be discussed; Your name has entered gallantly into the history of social struggles alongside those of those revolutionary fighters who have put their share of work, faith and indomitable temper in the construction of the social building of the future. Comrade Fernando, you have not vacillated or capitulated! We can say proud of you! You have died standing up! Honor and glory to Comrade Bravo James!".[61]
The words from the representative of the Economic Students of the "Universidad Mayor de San Andrés": "(…) We, the university students with whom you shared moments of comfort and sowed in each one the seed of superation; you who with great hopes taught us the true love of the homeland (...) who knew how to instill healthy thoughts of greatness for a better tomorrow, today with our hearts full of pain we feel a void that we can never fill, we will no longer hear your words of encouragement , but your immortal and imperishable presence will remain in our memory. Master you will live in our memory because memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be banished (...)".[62]
The heartfelt and precious words of José Antonio Borda, of which some fragments are cited:
Suddenly, the teacher, senior lecturer Fernando Bravo James died, clothing in mourning the flags of struggle of Bolivian trade unionism. The brief and coldly news of the general sentiment deeply hurts the integrity of the ranks of the Bolivian proletariat in which Bravo James militated, as a soldier permanently willing to support social claims (... ) the national teachers, the University, the Mines, they listened attentively to the authorized and virile verb of this fighter who never gave up, never lowered his flag (…).
He made teacher unionism – especially – a fortress from which he demanded bread, culture and roof for the Bolivian teachers; from that fortress he denounced betrayal, duplicity and opportunism; Moreover, it is in that fortress where he finally falls down in his physical existence, he set an example of firmness and honesty. Fernando Bravo James will be an upright example of the type of revolutionary and incorruptible leader that shaped his trajectory (...). He was a gentleman of the spirit who fought at all times against the adversity that pushed the masses to despair: he was a thriving revolutionary who did not compromise against anything that meant diminishing the possibilities of the popular victory over imperialism or against submission. Thus, with that spirit and with that indomitable value, he was attentive to the great days of the Educational Reform, which from the rostrum of the “Universidad Técnica de Oruro", he contributed with the imperishable revolutionary thought of progress. (…) his left-wing political affiliation did not diminish at all the moral and ideological context with which he put himself at the service of the Bolivian proletariat (...). From Cochabamba, whose streets not long ago witnessed his restless figure, attentive to the popular pulse, it marches painfully hurried through the silent and dead spaces, the mute farewell voice of those who were once with him in the fight.[63] José Antonio Borda, “Falleció Fernando Bravo James: Docente y luchador sindical”, El Mundo, Cochabamba, 20 November 1962 |
The previous words in the funeral of Fernando Bravo James are, in summary, the recognition of his personality, the mighty revolutionary, the fighter who never faltered or lowered his flag, that of the measured and wise word, that taught true love to the homeland , to whom he instilled thoughts for a better tomorrow. The national magisterium, the university, the mines heard the authorized and virile verb of those who have entered the history of social struggles gallantly.[64]
In 1963, at the Ordinary Teachers Congress held in Santa Cruz, a school was named with the name of Professor Fernando Bravo James, by will and recognition of the teaching profession. This resolution was presented to the Minister of Education, at that time Mr. Guzmán Galarza who issued the Ministerial Resolution by nominating with the name of Fernando Bravo James a school of three courses that worked beyond the forest of Bologna in La Paz.[65] The resolution was delivered to his widow, Professor Elsa Cladera de Bravo, in a public ceremony at the "Casa Social del Maestro", when Dr. Max Reyes was executive secretary. Elsa thanked the deserved tribute by highlighting the work of her husband.[66]
Currently the school does not exist anymore. In 1972, during Banzer's dictatorship, his name was removed and that of Rosmary Galindo de Barrientos was added. However, later Virginia Aramayo de Portocarrero will give the name of Fernando Bravo James to an establishment of Fe y Alegría. Currently the "Unidad educativa Fernando Bravo James"[67] in the city of El Alto, Bolivia includes all classes from initial education to secondary.[68]
Publications
Selected writings
Bravo James,Fernando (1944). Bolivia ante la historia. Universidad Técnica de Oruro. (Awarded study in a contest at the Faculty of Economic Sciences of the "Universidad Técnica de Oruro").
Bravo James, Fernando (1944–1950). "Cuaderno de canciones del Comité local de Catavi del POR, Partido Obrero Revolucionario" (Secc. Boliviana de la IV Internacional). Ediciones Lucha Minera:Secretaría de publicaciones.
Bravo James, Fernando, "Se firmó el pacto obrero universitario", La Patria (30 July 1946).
Bravo James, Fernando, "Entre mineros y universitarios", La Patria (25 March 1949).
Bravo James, Fernando (1951). "Lineamientos Geo-económicos y sociales". In Armando Rosas García, Fernando Bravo James, Liberato Ignacio López, Julio Bahoz Ramírez & Julio César Mier M., Informe de la delegación de egresados de la promoción de 1950, sobre la visita a las facultades de Ciencias económicas de Buenos Aires y Montevideo. Revista Económica, Nos. 7 and 8. Universidad Técnica de Oruro: Centro de estudios financieros, pp. 125–151.
Bravo James, Fernando, "Comunicado. Pide que la Confederación Nacional de Maestros se pronuncie sobre los últimos acontecimientos", La Patria (18 April 1952).
Bravo James, Fernando (1954). La revolución boliviana y la educación. Universidad Técnica de Oruro.
Bravo James, Fernando (1956a). Curso de geografía económica general. Universidad Técnica de Oruro.
Bravo James, Fernando (1956b). Curso de geografía económica nacional. Universidad Técnica de Oruro.
Bravo James, Fernando, "La organización de la escuela" (the organizing of the school) without date (Possible written in Oruro, between 1950 and 1956).
Bravo James, Fernando. "Canciones del CETA" (Centro Estudiantil Tupac Amaru) without date (Possible written in La Paz, between 1957 and 1962).
References
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- Interview with Elsa Cladera de Bravo by Marcelo Quezada and Alfonso Gumucio in Fribourg, Switzerland, on 9 June 1977.(Elsa Cladera de Bravo transcription of recorded band number 3 (ECBTRB3))
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