Banzer, 75, played a dominant role in Bolivia's history - ruling as military dictator from 1971 to 1978, before being democratically returned to power in 1997.

Thirty days of mourning were declared for Banzer, who stepped down last August

He had been in a coma for several days when he died on Sunday after a heart attack

Soldiers carried his coffin and warplanes flew overhead in a salute

Banzer's family led mourners in his hometown of Santa Cruz.

Thousands lined the streets as the coffin was taken to the family mausoleum

Paying tribute, President Jorge Quiroga said Banzer showed Bolivians politics was "not a way of life, but a way of service".