Evo Morales: “The Voice of the People is the Voice of God.”
Evo Morales just finished his victory speech here in Cochabamba. He declared that his victory signaled “a new era in Bolivian history”, which it surely would. He also pledged to “change the economic models that have blocked development for the people.”
I was disappointed in the speech, actually. A victory like this is a moment to move beyond the campaign, to speak of vision and of plans that can unite both supporters and skeptics. It is a time to speak as a president would speak. But Evo is still in campaign mode and still bearing grudges about what he called “ the dirty war” waged against he and MAS, including the emerging story of thousands upon thousands of people purged from the voter rolls around the country. I guess his resentment is understandable.
Morales wrapped up his speech noting to Bolivia’s indigenous majority, “For the first time, we are the president.” He said as well, “We hope that this action by Bolivia will be an example, not just for Bolivia but for all of Latin America.”
I was disappointed in the speech, actually. A victory like this is a moment to move beyond the campaign, to speak of vision and of plans that can unite both supporters and skeptics. It is a time to speak as a president would speak. But Evo is still in campaign mode and still bearing grudges about what he called “ the dirty war” waged against he and MAS, including the emerging story of thousands upon thousands of people purged from the voter rolls around the country. I guess his resentment is understandable.
Morales wrapped up his speech noting to Bolivia’s indigenous majority, “For the first time, we are the president.” He said as well, “We hope that this action by Bolivia will be an example, not just for Bolivia but for all of Latin America.”
posted by The Democracy Center at 10:24 PM
The Democracy Center, based in Cochabamba Bolivia and San Francisco California, works globally to advance human rights through a combination of investigation and reporting, training citizens in the art of public advocacy, and organizing international citizen campaigns. If you like the Blog, consider becoming a subscriber to The Democracy Center's free e-newsletter by sending us an email at 
31 Comments:
Alvaro Garcia Linera, Evo's VP, just gave the speech Jim rightly says Evo should have given - all about unity and working together, going beyond the campaign. I think it was pretty clear that Evo had no speech prepared. He seemed as surprised by this as anyone. Understandable. Amazing...
I've punched my stop watch, and i'm curious to see how long it takes for the School of the Americas to oust him and replace him with a dictator without any respect for human rights...
every second that goes by until then is a good one
Fellow readers: If you like this site, spread the word, and consider a letter to the editor. If CNN is any sign of how this will be covered in the U.S., we're in trouble. Their headline: "America's 'Nightmare' Leads Bolivian Elections."
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/12/18/bolivia.election.ap.ap/index.html
The first word in the article, describing Evo, is 'socialist,' while they describe Tuto as a former president but fail to label his politics.
A victory like this is a moment to move beyond the campaign, to speak of vision...
Problem is, Evo doesn't have one. Nothing left to do than brace ourselves and weather the storm.
Congratulations to the people of Bolivia, the people that want a more economically just state that is. The elites and the U.S. will be scared; they shouldn't be though. There will still be rich, and there will still be poor. If income from the resources of the country is more equitably distributed, it will only strengthen the country and make it very much more stable. This is what everybody really wants too. So, Evo do your worst.
The simplest and easiest thing for Evo to do, that he could do immediately, and would be packed with a powerful symbolism is to decriminalize the coca leaf. If the US DEA walks out of the country because they say they can't deal with you, well, consider yourselves lucky. The fewer US agents running around in your country, the safer you will be.
To the NSA agent reading this e-mail, fuck you. You and George Bush are on the wrong side of the law and you know it.
Dan:
The story you are referring to on CNN is actually an Associated Press story... the same story entitled "America's 'Nightmare' Leads Bolivian Elections" is circulating a ton of news agencies who draw from AP for their story right now. If you are interested in the kind of reporting thats going on internationally, type in "Bolivian Elections" to Google News, then arrange the results by date. You can see how many news agencies just publish the same report. Bloomberg News is actually doing a better job, it is regularly rereleasing their story with updates and notes what version of the story it is in the title.
The comment Morales made about being America's nightmare is in practically every artcle, usually in the lead paragraph or two. Sex, violence, and conflict make interesting news.
You're absolutely right, originalexplorer. I'm still readjusting to an incredibly slow internet connection, and one that automatically refers me - in places like google news - to spanish language sites! So I hadn't seen all the publications of the AP story. In the CNN version, the reference to the Evo quote is buried much further down.
"A victory like this is a moment to move beyond the campaign, to speak of vision..."
Problem is, Evo doesn't have one. Nothing left to do than brace ourselves and weather the storm.
I agree wholeheartedly. It's not Evo's ideology that worry me the most. It's the heavy-handed tactics, the blockades, the threats. I fear for the future of Bolivia's democracy if the congress doesn't hold him in check.
I am both hopeful and sceptical about what is happening in Bolivia. I hope the new gov't nationalises all of Bolivia'a natural resources and acts as a real leader of the poor and oppressed in South America. Along with Chavez they can from an alliance against US imperialism. But then again after seeing what happened in Brazil you have to be very sceptical.
I hope Morales does not go the Brazil route. As for national unity, well I don't think Morales should work with people who want to do AMerica's bidding in the region, people who want to put into power neo-liberal policies and privatize virtually all the country's assets. I think Morales should set those as red lines...
unclejimbo
Josh don't worry about Morales I would be more worried that if Morales goes the Chavez route the American admin would be doing there own counter democractic moves just like in Venezuala....
The only fear is that Morales caves in to foreign pressures instead of putting in policies he was voted in for. The greatest danger comes from Washington...
unclejimbo
"I hope the new gov't nationalises all of Bolivia'a natural resources and acts as..."
unclejimbo: you are just kidding yourself, Evo will never dare nationalize oil and natural gas resources, PETROBRAS is just too strong in Bolivia (yeah that's Lula's company)... as far as other natural resources, Cori Chaca, San Cristobal... nope, no nationalization there, hasn't even been addressed, and under the radar: El Mutun is currently under bidding, I wonder if Evo is gonna hit the brakes on that he has three days before bidding ends.
As far as following the Brazilian example, I wouldn't mind if Bolivia became a regional power, but then again I'm only concerned with the development of my country and not the purity of recycled ideologies.
Jonathan
Fifty percent, wow! Now is when the hard work starts. I think Evo was right to point out the CNE irregularities clearly, hopefully his actions will show better than words that change is for the benefit of all Bolivians.
If the number of valid voters disenfranchised- it seems some for example presented themselves to vote in Municipal Elections 2004, were late, but were given "attendance cards" to prove they had fulfilled their duty and were still eligible voters- is anywhere near the hundreds of thousands claimed in some media, this is huge.
Does anyone have contact information for the heads of various observatory missions, so they can be asked to demand clarification and rectification of any injustices?
Wow. The fact that Bolivia can elect such a leader does give me hope for the consolidation of democracy there. :)
Wendy
Bolivia's first indiginous leader - this is quite a moment. It's not an easy country to govern though, especially when your policies are almost guaruneed to piss off as foreign investment and id-giving countries. I wish him every success in his tough new job...
And just to get a gripe about media coverage in while I'm here, how about this from Time:
"Morales ... could win this Sunday but still be snubbed in the Congress next month. That would likely prompt his millions of mostly indigenous followers to turn to what they call "street democracy," as they have done in numerous and often violent protests that ousted two Presidents since 2003." (My emphasis).
Yeah, they can be violent, can't they just? Especially when the cops shoot 70-odd demonstrators dead in the streets. Sickening...
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1142128,00.html
Ryan; Good point. This february I got caught in the blockades while travelling by bus and I was amazed at how peaceful they were. I hit the 1st blockade between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, then got caught when the blockades went national between Santa Cruz and Sucre, and after the blockades were lifted, I got caught in a rogue blockade between Potosi and Tarija. All were totally peaceful- no shouting, no threats, and no police or military. An amazing experience. Choclosteve
Ryan and Choclosteve:
Mainstream media rarely does protests or social movements justice when it covers them. Stories are sensationalized, reduced to protesters v. police or other schemes, exaggerated, or distored, while the issues fade into the background. However, in this case, In this case, I think the constant references in the international media to Evo Morales as the ringleader of huge street protests and violent demonstrations are just examples of reporters not doing enough research before writing their stories or talking to the wrong people.
From what I've read academically, the consensus seems to be that the street demos are called out by various local organizations - unions, neighborhood associations, grass roots organizations, etc. - and not subject to any centralized authority. I have seen in a few places people saying that Filipe Quispe has of an ability to turn people out than Evo... but I'm not sure I believe that. Could anyone venture a (relatively) objective opinion on Filipe Quispe's credibility among his base (some aymara communities in the altiplano)? In any case, most sources I have read also report that Evo is usually not one of the first to mobilize his constituents to street demonstrations.
Anyway, although in watching the contest from a distance, I was pretty sure that Evo getting elected would be a disaster for the left. I saw several MAS congressmen/senators give a talk at Columbia's SEPA center and they were all surprisingly candid about how they felt like MAS wasn't ready to take power and that Evo was too much of a top-down caudillo type (granted the event was sponsored by the Bolivian Chamber of Commerse.) The thing that has changed my more pessimistic opinion is the margin by which Evo seems to have defeated his opponents... If there is any truth to the reports that there may have been some monkeying with voter rolls to reduce MAS's number, then this is quite the resounding win for Morales. Also I saw that MAS has picked up 79 seats in congress, one short of the majority or something... So how were the other seats distributed? Are the results out yet? I know that because of the Law of Pop. Partic. members of "base organizations" or whatever can run as independents... How many MAS friendly independents or friendly parties will there be? Anyway, it should be very interesting to see what happens. Although I doubt Morales will be as radical or brilliant a leader as many of us hope, it would be nice to see him legalize coca growing (I dont know how he could not, given he is a cocalero!) and design a framework to exercise control over the hydrocarbons and yet still offer incentives to companies with the technology to export the gas.
Anyway those are my thoughts for now...
Solidarity to all you down in Bolivia,
Alex
I must admit, I am surprised that Evo mustered the votes he got, however, now that he has accomplished that feat, it behooves all of us to accept the fact that the people have spoken. If I would have concerns it would be as follows: a) Now that Evo has been elected president, that the people who have elected him allow him more time than a mere 6 to 9 months to prove himself. He needs the opportunity and, b) Now that Evo has been elected president with more than 50%, that those who voted him in don't let it go to their heads and decide to take matters into their own hands. By this I mean that they obey the laws of the land and that justice would prevail.
Evo is probably well aware of the task laid out before him, and will need whatever support and encouragement we will be able to give him. Que vive Bolivia!!
While us liberals, progressives and democrats are outraged about rise of the White Citizens Republican Party - aided, abetted, and supported by the white heartland, stupid white Hispanics, Black houseslaves, and greedy corporations - people in Latin America are DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT. They are going to cut us off - inducing consequences that will cause the pendulum in the United States to swing back to the center. We only talk about a govenment run amock - they are doing something about it.
Que viva Bolivia!
Bolivia? I don't recall reading anything about Bolivia that had any relavancy in the last 5 years. Socialism will fall into the dust bin of history for more reasons than most posters here will ever understand as long as they blame others for thier failures.
Dear Anounymous,
It is likely that you did not read anything relevant Bolivia because you live in the fog of mainstream misinformation. And If socialism will fall by its own flaws, why has US Gov been always so scared of it (i.e. back-ops in Cuba, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Venezuela, Chile, Colombia, and so forth and so forth)? And also, assuming you are from US, Its easy to judge others for "blaming others for their failures" when your economy has been built either upon the backs of native americans, blacks, hispanics, and lately even whites in poor states, or on resource plundering on the hemisphere. As oppose to your statement, all what I said really has historical proof.
I salute and thank all other posters for their well informed and objective prises and criticisms.
vivan los pueblos americanos!
Ivan Zambrana
Bolivian
To Alex's point about the MAS. I was at the same panel at Columbia (at SIPA) and was also struck by how not one of the indigenous parlementarians (from MAS and MIP) had a single kind word for Evo. (And the panel was not just sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, it was also sponsored by USAID.) That such a panel could take place is itself revealing of the internal divisions of MAS (and the broader indigenous movement). The internal problems may be the biggest ones awaiting Evo...
Norman Said.
Well we will see what Evo has prepare to be a presindent most people out side of Bolivia thinks he will do really bad and it will be the same as it was. but it will change about the Coca so US has to get ready to fight that as we know Coca is not a drug but it can be turn in a Cocain. and the other thing is About Chavez and Fidel Castro as we know they are good friends and we will see whats their plans.
I have yet to see anyone point out the fact that Evo's vice president was imprisoned for five years in the 90s for being a member of the Ejército Guerrillero Tupac Katari (Tupac Katari Guerilla Army), a Marxist "revolutionary" (terrorist) group here in Bolivia that has specifically targeted foriegn dipolomats and the upper-class.
As for Evo's presidency, it is impossible to know exactly what will happen. Evo, like most Latin American leaders, has said radical things to get elected. However, he seems to be leaning towards a more moderate side in his actions, which is likely the best thing to do.
Also about the protests, they aren't always friendly, peaceful, and quiet. In October of 2003 there were extremely violent protests in El Alto (During Goni's presidency). Civilian snipers shot and killed several police officers during riots and the military and police were engaging in firefights in the streets. Protests are usually hostile towards "outsiders" including foriegners, the rich, and the police (basically anyone who isn't 'indigenous'). The majority of peaceful protests occur when the police are too scared [or paid off not] to intervene. (Although there are some exceptions)
AND finally, the Coca Leaf IS NOT illegal here. COCAINE is. You can buy Coca tea in any supermarket, the serve it in hotels, the malnourished chew it for stamina (although it's terrible for the teeth), and they even throw it into the crowd at Carnaval parades. The DEA and other departments at the embassy are fighting the Cocaine manufacturers, not the average Cocalero. To us, the leaf is unimportant. No one is demanding more Coca leaves in the US, Cocaine is the export that is the problem. As long as the Coca never reaches a Cocaine lab, we have no problem with it.
Austin Long
American
(actually lives in Bolivia)
(Being a descendant of a certain country doesn't make you a subject-matter expert)
Morales is treading on sensitive toes when he talks negative about America or does things like giving cheap oil to US consumers or other countries. Hope he has his security watertight. The US has been known to work in mysterious ways.
Does it make anyone nervous that Evo Morales unilaterally decided to cut salaries( her own and those of other ministers) in one fell swoop; no vote, no discussion,no NOTHING???
Doesn't sound like a democracy to me. Sounds like Cuba.
Gino Scarpellini,
Fuck Evo Morales I just hope the CIA take him out like a bitch. He is just another toy for Hugo Chaves and Fidel Castro. Fuck Evo up the ASS....
FOR EVERYONE,
DONT YOU SEE THAT EVO MORALES IS A PIECE OF SHIT?? I MEAN...HE'S PRESIDENT CHAVEZE'S TOY...HE DOESN'T KNOW WHATS REALLY GOING ON IN THE WORLD..AND HIS VICE PRESIDENT ASKING POOR PEOPLE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE RICH...COME ON...WHAT IS THIS...IS HE IGNORANT??? OR IS HE JUST SOMEONE WHO HATES TO SEE PEOPLE PROSPER?? I PROMISE....NOW THE POOR WORSHIP YOU BUT WAIT......THEY WILL KILL YOU!!
HEY Darrell...I see you have posted a comment saying EVO is great...well I'm sure you couldn't get a job in the US and had to go to a 3rd world country...aint im right..fucking white trash...i bet you are so poorly educated piece of shit....wait does ur mom still live on a trailer?? bet she does....worthless piece of shit....US ROCKS>>>BUSH IS THE MEN!
All the people who think that Evo Morales is good for Bolivia wake up and smell the shit! Before you say anything, come and live in Bolivia for a while... and earn your right to judge!
Evo is nothing but Chavez puppet, and who knows what else!
Cheers.
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