Solstice and Politics in Bolivia

Readers:

In my absence from Bolivia this month I have asked my co-worker Marcela Olivera to provide the Blog with an update on political developments. Here it is.

Jim

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Update from Cochabamba
Marcela Olivera

With the winter solstice, a new year has begun in the indigenous world of Bolivia. The ceremonies performed in El Alto with the first rays of the morning sun predicted the union of the social movements and the continuation of the struggles in the coming year.

Below the ceremonial sites, in La Paz and other cities of the country, the demands are growing from many groups and sectors (including 6 of the 9 mayors from the main cities in Bolivia) for resignations from parliamentarians. It is likely that, coinciding with the presidential election at the end of the year, we are going to have elections for a new Congress.

Jorge Lazarte, the Presidential delegate for political issues, said they are looking for a consensus in order to guarantee national elections along with the elections for governors. Even further, they are checking the possibility to launch a referendum about granting autonomy for each region of the country. They would prefer to have these elections all at the same time.

Parliamentarians from many parts of the country have announced massive resignations in order to facilitate the process for new congressional elections. Some important alliances have started to emerge in light of these events. For example, a couple of days ago Evo Morales (MAS) and Juan del Granado (MSM), announced a “Frente Amplio”, an alliance between the coca leader and the Mayor from La Paz. This is the same Mayor who recently opposed the initiative from El Alto to create a public water company. Such an alliance seems to be a conflict of interests as they call to the social organizations, political parties and other sectors to join their initiative. In fact the “Frente Amplio” is being watched with distrustful eyes from traditional parties and social movement leaders.

This political maneuvering is just an illusion that is a tragic distraction for the public from the real issues facing our country: the establishment of a constituent assembly and the future of the oil and natural gas industries. The new President’s political strategy is to avoid a discussion of these issues and the opposition political parties are more concerned with their alliances for power. The issues that brought the public outrage into the streets these past several months will not be solved by traditional political alliances and compromise. What the people are asking for is true representation and direct participation in their government and a new perspective on how Bolivia’s resources can be developed to benefit all of us.

The elders of the indigenous people are looking toward a new future in their solstice rituals and ceremonies. Let’s hope that their offerings and predictions will bring new proposals about solving the real problems ahead of us. And, when they announce the “struggles ahead”, this does not only mean struggle in the streets but also describes the struggles in the halls of government for new solutions that bring economic justice to all Bolivians.