With the instability of the Torres regime, two parties previously considered enemies, the MNR and FSB would come together in alliance with conservative elements of the Armed Forces to overthrow
Juan José Torres and recover their political prestige. With the triumph of the 1971 coup, Colonel Banzer signed an agreement with the MNR and FSB parties, creating the Nationalist Popular Front - a governmental civic-military alliance. The alliance would fall into disagreement in mid-1973. Banzer's promise to hold elections in 1974 caused parts of the MNR and FSB to abandon the government and move to the opposing side, with only a few political factions remaining. Paz Estenssoro, Banzer's ally during the August coup, would go over to the opposing side. In November 1973, he would attempt to remove all MNR members from
Banzer's cabinet. This decision divided the MNR, with many like Ciro Humboldt refusing to leave his posts. In January 1974, Paz Estenssoro was sent into exile - being accused of "subversion". == References ==