Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada Bustamante (born July 1, 1930 in the city of La Paz), familiarly known as "Goni", was president of Bolivia. He is credited for "shock therapy " (with Jeffrey Sachs)-- the extreme measures taken by Bolivia to cut down on rampant hyperinflation caused by excessive government spending.
He studied literature and philosophy in the United States, and is sometimes criticized in Bolivia as "El Gringo"--referring to his highly American upbringing and pro-Americanist policies. He is member of the MNR. He obtained 22.46% of the vote in the June 30, 2002 elections.
Evo Morales, a well-known cocalero supporter and Socialist-populist leader, is one of the main opponents to Sánchez de Lozada.
He resigned in October 2003 during the Bolivian Gas War.