Bolivia is on the brink of civil war, a nation divided by race and wealth. In the past three months hundreds have been murdered, and hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in protest.
President Evo Morales elected in 2006 claims to be the first full blooded Amerindian to hold such a position since Spanish Conquest 470 years ago. Although some praise the ever increasing mestizo culture of Bolivia there remains great divides in wealth, education, and entitlement across racial divides.
President Morales is considered a Socialist doe to his redistribution of the wealth generated by Bolivia’s natural resources such as natural gas and his commitment to land reform. Morlaes is also titular President of cocalero, a federation of coca growers' unions who are resisting the efforts of the United States government to eradicate cocoa in Bolivia.
Although over 80% of the population supports President Morales he does have his opposition. They are demanding greater control over policies ranging from land reform to the allocation of the earnings of Bolivia's natural gas exports, which originate in their regions. Earlier this year, the departments of Tarija, Santa Cruz, Pando and Beni voted in favor of opposition-drafted autonomy statutes, but since those referenda were not sanctioned by the national electoral court, the central government refuses to recognize the results.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bush administration have been accused of supporting the opposition and inciting violence. As a result he kicked out U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg this past September, accusing him of inciting conflict. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) has rallied to his support. At an emergency meeting the presidents of nine Latin American countries gave Morales their full support, and offered to send a team to mediate.
President Evo Morales, cast his decision on Saturday to suspend the activities of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in his country as a matter of national security. "We have the obligation to defend the dignity and the sovereignty of the Bolivian people," said Morales. "There have been DEA agents who, carrying out espionage, financed rogue groups with the intention of taking the lives of [Bolivian government] officials." The Bolivian President made clear he envisages repairing the relationship with the U.S. as soon as President Bush has gone. More than once, he referred to his own victory in Bolivia as having brought "the change we need."
President Evo Morales elected in 2006 claims to be the first full blooded Amerindian to hold such a position since Spanish Conquest 470 years ago. Although some praise the ever increasing mestizo culture of Bolivia there remains great divides in wealth, education, and entitlement across racial divides.
President Morales is considered a Socialist doe to his redistribution of the wealth generated by Bolivia’s natural resources such as natural gas and his commitment to land reform. Morlaes is also titular President of cocalero, a federation of coca growers' unions who are resisting the efforts of the United States government to eradicate cocoa in Bolivia.
Although over 80% of the population supports President Morales he does have his opposition. They are demanding greater control over policies ranging from land reform to the allocation of the earnings of Bolivia's natural gas exports, which originate in their regions. Earlier this year, the departments of Tarija, Santa Cruz, Pando and Beni voted in favor of opposition-drafted autonomy statutes, but since those referenda were not sanctioned by the national electoral court, the central government refuses to recognize the results.
The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bush administration have been accused of supporting the opposition and inciting violence. As a result he kicked out U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg this past September, accusing him of inciting conflict. The Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) has rallied to his support. At an emergency meeting the presidents of nine Latin American countries gave Morales their full support, and offered to send a team to mediate.
President Evo Morales, cast his decision on Saturday to suspend the activities of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in his country as a matter of national security. "We have the obligation to defend the dignity and the sovereignty of the Bolivian people," said Morales. "There have been DEA agents who, carrying out espionage, financed rogue groups with the intention of taking the lives of [Bolivian government] officials." The Bolivian President made clear he envisages repairing the relationship with the U.S. as soon as President Bush has gone. More than once, he referred to his own victory in Bolivia as having brought "the change we need."
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