Messy Situation in Bolivia

It is still a sticky wicket in Bolivia where in the midst of huge marches, protests, road blockades and the like comes rumors of a coup attempt by right wing forces.

Prensa Latina is reporting today that Evo Morales, leader of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), says just such a coup is in the making and with it comes plans to assassinate him and eliminate the leadership of the social movement. Morales says the oligarchy from Santa Cruz is building up arms to take on the popular and Indian movement (The Santa Cruz oligarchy is associated with a regional separatist movement). Morales warns that that "If the regional or popular position prevails, the country will erupt in flames."

Morales accuses right wing forces within the military and “fascist” civilians as believing that such a coup is the only solution to the present crisis in the country. He specifically targets Congress Chairman Hormando Vaca Diez. He accuses Vaca Diez and his followers of favoring the coup due to his contacts with the military, although the military leadership appears to respect democracy and are the sole pillars of support for President Carlos Mesa.

Meanwhile, violent clashes between police and protesters and huge marches by indigenous groups in La Paz “paralyzed the capital Tuesday and Wednesday, scaring lawmakers and forcing suspension of a session of Bolivia's Congress,” according to the Resource Center of the Americas. They report that riot police outside Congress lobbed tear gas and fired water cannons to repel protesters, who fired sticks of dynamite with slingshots. Thousands demanding nationalization of the energy sector took over the city and blocked access to the airport.

It is reported that so few congressional deputies ventured into the capital that lower house chairman Mario Cossio to suspend the session for lack of a quorum. Even the president of Congress, Hormando Vaca Diez, did not appear.

However, today it is said that tensions have eased just a bit. According to NarcoSphere, there were a few incidents, but none to get too upset about… it seems the social movements – faced with Senator Hormando Vaca Diez’s blackmail in saying that there were not guarantees of a congressional session – have left the politicians alone for the moment, to see what they’ll do.” Sources: Prensa Latina, Resource Center of the Americas, Narcosphere