Comments on: The Bolivian Referendum: Watershed Moment or Politics as Usual?

By: Hal

Hal — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 02:51:58 +0000

Wow, thanks for this, Sarah. While I think the success of the referendum does strike a chord of hope, Santa Cruz et al. continue to make it clear they will have to be dragged kicking and screaming through any major changes. Yet, I agree with you about Bolivia's population being more politically active than most, and this is inspiring. As I noted, referendum campaigning was more subdued than what I was expecting, but I think Cochabambinos are still a pretty informed and involved bunch. 2004-5 were certainly some heady times, though. I can only imagine. As for the drinking ban, I think it's a fantastic idea. Ban on all forms of road transport? Not so logical. In addition, voting is virtually mandatory. You have to show proof of ballot cast when going to the bank, applying for a travel visa, etc. Once I get my Patagonia itinerary ironed out a bit more, you'll be hearing from me! Thanks again for the comment.

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By: Sarah_Menkedick

Sarah_Menkedick — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:39:16 +0000

Hey Hal– I'm not sure I agree that this means relatively little, considering the massive unrest in Bolivia in the past several months…I was so depressed to see the gas and oil interests in Santa Cruz gaining more and more control, and trying (with the cooperation of the U.S through the American ambassador in La Paz) to push Morales out. Seeing that Morales has survived that and has managed to pull off the referendum, peacefully, is inspiring. Even if there is a long, difficult road ahead, I think this is a hopeful moment for Bolivia. It is one of the few Latin American states that I think really has the chance of pulling itself out from under the control of foreign interests (i.e., kicking the French bottled water companies out of Cochabamba.) I don't know, I was in Bolivia in 2004 and 2005 and I thought, out of all the places I traveled in Latin America, that it had the most politically active and motivated indigenous population, and that it also had the greatest chance of building democracy from the bottom up. In Cochabamba hundreds of people gathered every day in the central plaza to read news updates posted on big bulletin boards. Did you see any of that while you were there, or has that changed? By the way, what do you think about the sobriety laws forbidding people from drinking on election weekend?? This is common across Latin America. Good idea? Bad idea? And Hal, let me know if you want any info about Patagonia, it's my favorite place on Earth! I swoon at the thought of those mountains.

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By: Hal

Hal — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 19:47:30 +0000

Bolivia for the time being, then most likely down on to Patagonia in a few months.

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 22:53:34 +0000

Nice post, Hal. Are you based in Bolivia now? Or Peru? Or just a traveling man once more?

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By: Ron in L.A.

Ron in L.A. — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:24:27 +0000

It's just the beginning. Everyone in the departments like Santa Cruz, Tarija etc. all realized there was no reason to fight over the mostly symbolic vote. Evo will be undone by his own ego and inability to provide for the indigenous people, especially with Chavez's economy going into the tank and Brazil cutting back on its gas imports.

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