 Editor's Choice Editor's Note: We can expect the next focus of Washington's attack on the Bolivarian Revolution to be in Bolivia. Many here in Latin America fear that the attack could take almost any form imaginable, including armed conflict with the backing of the United States and Colombia. The plan has been in place for over 3 years to sever the gas-rich state of Santa Cruz from the rest of Bolivia, leaving the vast majority of Bolivians in poverty. Those who have been the wealthy benefactors of Bolivia's natural resources for decades are centered in Santa Cruz. Their Washington-backed plan is being crystalized in an upcoming, unconstitutional referendum. They plan an attempt to annex Santa Cruz from the rest of the nation - which would be akin to the State of Texas claiming independence from the United States. The author of the article below, Fred Fuentes, outlines the details of the battle that is now taking shape. Axis of Logic joins many media-left, calling for everyone in the international community to sign the petition below, in support of the sovereignty and independence of Bolivia and the democratically elected government of President Evo Morales. - Editors, Axis of Logic
" Speaking on the eve of an extraordinary summit of the Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas (ALBA — the alliance made of Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Dominica) that was partly called to discuss the situation in Bolivia, Chavez stated the landlocked Andean country was "once again under fire — for daring to dream of retaking the path of dignity, liberty and real independence". "The empire wants to put a brake on the integration of Chavez said that, "We are and will continue to be with Illegal referendum At the heart of the latest round of tensions in Despite the referendum being declared illegal by the national electoral court, the The right-wing campaign of destabilisation against the indigenous-led government of President Evo Morales — which the referendum is one component of — has intensified in the last few weeks. "Leaving clear the success of the bunkering-down by the business sectors in "Days before, the functionary tried without luck to enter the hacienda of the Sectors of large agribusiness have been on a war footing against the government following recent moves to restrict exports of certain food products — in order to tackle food shortages provoked by agribusiness. While loosening some of the restrictions, Morales threatened to nationalise companies that "are provoking a bosses lockout" by enforcing a holiday on May 4. Defending unity An April 24 ABI news service article reported that the commander of the Bolivian Naval Force, Vice Admiral Jose Luis Cavas Villegas, said that "we are the people in arms, in order to defend the internal security of our population, the Armed Forces are with the people … behind the [national flag], we will defend unity all our lives". Through the build-up of tensions, the position of the government, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS — Morales's party) and the social movements aligned with the government has oscillated between threatening to stop the referendum going ahead to dismissing it as simply an opinion poll. For now, it seems rallies will be held on May 4 in favour of "national unity" in all capital cities — except in Since Morales inauguration in January 2006, the economic and political elites whose power has been threatened by the rise of 'Democratic and cultural revolution' As the Morales government has continued to take steps forward in his self-proclaimed "democratic and cultural revolution" — through the nationalisation of gas, the convocation of a constituent assembly to "re-found" In particular, the government's land reform, which has redistributed hundreds of thousands of hectares of land owned by the state or large landowners to poor campesinos (peasants), has aroused opposition. Key leaders of the push for "autonomy" in Behind the calls for autonomy are economic interests hoping to give greater power to the opposition-controlled department governments on questions of control over natural resources and productive land, the majority of which is located in the east. By pushing for autonomy the elite hopes to weaken and bring down the popular Morales government. However, their campaign is also part of laying the groundwork for a plan B — the break up of Under this banner, they have also sought, successfully, to unite large sections of the predominately white population of the east against the central government. Tapping into a long held sentiment for autonomy, and whipping up racism and fears of an "indigenous revenge", they have been able to mobilise large numbers in the east around the "autonomy" demand. A recent poll by Equipos Mora showed that in Solidarity Pointing to the declaration of solidarity and support for the people of During the summit, Chavez proposed the creation of a defence council and military force of the ALBA countries, "because our enemy is the same, the empire". The declaration states that the nations in ALBA "reject the destabilisation plans that aim to attack the peace and unity of "The imperialist project", Morales said, "is to try and carve up "I believe in the consciousness of the people and the wisdom of our social forces and of the indigenous movement, and above all of the patriots that are fighting for the dignity and sovereignty of our people."
To add your name to an international statement in solidarity with Bolivia, visit Bolivia con Todos
Federico Fuentes is editor of Bolivia Rising and his articles can also be found on Green Left Weekly |