Evo Morales to Marry Woman from US

The national uproar over LAB airlines got bumped off the front page today in every Bolivian daily by the surprise announcement yesterday that President Evo Morales will be getting married in June to a 29 year-old woman from the US, Cynthia Rogers. On Friday, Morales’ spokesperson confirmed what had been a brewing rumor here for weeks. The headline in Los Tiempos reads (translated to English) “Evo Will Marry a Gringa!!”

“It is true,” Alex Contreras told Bolivian reporters yesterday, “On June 10 the President will marry Miss Rogers in the Presidential Palace. Both President Morales and Miss Rogers are very happy and we hope that all Bolivians will share that happiness as well.”

Cynthia Rogers is an anthropologist from Seattle, Washington who first came to Bolivia two years ago as a Fulbright Scholar. She apparently met Morales while conducting research interviews in 2004 and has been involved with him, as a closely guarded secret, for much of the past year. Today’s edition of the Cochabamba daily, Los Tiempos, carries a full-page photo of Morales kissing his bride to be on the cheek. See the photo here.

The news that Morales – who during the elections referred to himself famously as, “The US’ worst nightmare” – would marry a US citizen provoked a variety of public reactions.

“We knew that the new government was seeking cordial relations with the US,” joked US Ambassador David Greenlee. “We just didn’t know how cordial.”

Reaction from Bolivian social movement leaders was less positive. “This news, which comes as a shock to all Bolivians, only confirms our deepest suspicions of Morales and the new government,” said Coordinadora del Agua leader Oscar Olivera. “Evo is now absolutely in bed with the gringos and this signifies that the Bolivian people can be assured that nationalization of the country’s gas and oil reserves will require mass popular action.” Social movement leaders are reportedly making plans to blockade the streets surrounding the Presidential Palace on the day of Morales’ wedding.

The other Cochabamba daily, Opinion, carries an interview today with the last US citizen to serve as Bolivia’s first lady, Ginger Quiroga, wife of former President Tuto Quiroga. The native Texan told Opinion’s society page. “The best part is going to Washington and having tea with Laura Bush at the White House. She told me on our first visit, ‘Oh my God, finally a first lady from Bolivia who speaks English. I was getting so tired of having to say ‘Care for a scone?’ through a translator.”

Neither Morales nor Rogers appeared before reporters Friday but close friends of the first lady-to-be spoke to reporters about the couple.

“I knew something was up when Cindy started showing up all of the time with a huge wad of coca in her cheek,” her friend Melissa Harris told one Bolivian reporter. “I mean it is gross, she looks like a chipmunk with that thing in her mouth. I think it was really just to impress Evo.”

“Can you believe it?! I am so excited!!” another friend, Amy Folger told a reporter in La Paz. “I am going to be a bridesmaid and all our dresses are going to me made out of whipalas.”

This morning’s Seattle Times carries a brief interview with Cynthia Roger’s father, Paul Rogers, a dentist (image here). “Cindy has always been a free spirit, so at a certain level, I am not surprised. We haven’t been to Bolivia yet, but we are looking forward to coming for the wedding. Cindy said something about not needing to wear a coat or tie, but I am not sure what she meant by that.”

It remains unclear who will officiate the ceremony. Morales has strained relations with Catholic Church leaders and his decision not to get married in the national cathedral may only deepen that rift. One Morales aid hinted that another head of state, one close to Morales, might be invited to officiate the ceremony, as he had numerous other weddings.

On the streets yesterday here in Cochabamba, where I interviewed people for their reactions, that reaction was mixed.

“I think it is great,” said Lourdes Mamani, a fruit seller downtown. “Maybe now Evo will calm down some.”

Boris Canelas, a student at the University of San Simon had a different response to the news. “Caramba, he’s just doing it to get a US visa. Everyone knows that. He’ll get the visa and he’ll be off to Virginia to earn some money for a while. Evo is no different than anyone else.”

Happy April Fool from The Democracy Center