Vol. 72/No. 2      January 14, 2008

Tens of thousands of workers and peasants rallied December 15 in La Paz, Bolivia’s capital, in support of a draft constitution approved by the country’s National Assembly on December 9. On the same day, similar numbers joined opposition-led rallies against the new constitution. The right-wing rallies celebrated the declaration of “autonomy statutes” that would give the country’s four wealthiest provinces—Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, and Pando—greater powers over tax revenues, oil royalties, and police.

Claiming that they produce Bolivia’s wealth, the capitalists and big landowners complain that the measures adopted by the government of Evo Morales amount to “subsidizing” the country’s poorer regions in the mountains. They also attack provisions in the new constitution that give greater autonomy to indigenous groups, which are the majority in Bolivia. The four opposition-led provinces are more white and mestizo than the rest of the country.

Morales called the moves to set up autonomous regions “illegal” and accused the opposition of seeking to split the nation. Alejandro Almaraz, Vice Minister of Lands, labeled the moves “a landlords’ uprising—backward and conservative—against democracy.”

The opposition has opposed land reform. As of June 2007, some 2.2 million acres of land had been distributed primarily to landless peasant and indigenous families, according to the TeleSur website. The opposition has also demanded a discussion on a government measure that diverts oil royalty revenues from the provinces to a pension plan for the elderly.

Before the new constitution is enacted the National Assembly will need to approve the entire text of the draft, which will then be placed for a vote in a national referendum.

One article in the draft constitution—limiting the amount of idle land one individual can own—did not win the two-thirds majority required for approval by the National Assembly. That article will be placed for a vote in the referendum, with voters deciding between a limit of 2,000 or 4,000 acres per person.

In late December a string of bombings hit the Bolivian Workers Federation office in La Paz, the homes of several elected officials who support Morales, a residence for Cuban volunteer doctors, and a house next to the Venezuelan consulate. The opposition has condemned the aid extended to Bolivia by the governments of Venezuela and Cuba.

Attempts by the opposition to disrupt debate in the National Assembly on the draft constitution were met by mobilizations of Morales supporters, including miners who guarded the meeting site.

Morales has called for a “dialogue” with the opposition. He proposed a meeting with opposition governors on January 7. Five of the governors have agreed to attend. Morales has proposed holding a recall referendum for the president’s office and for the nine state governor seats. The proposal is currently being reviewed by the National Assembly, and the referendum could be held as early as April.  
 
 
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