Bolivia Bridges Political Divide

Carin Zissis
October 21, 2008

Bolivian legislators vote on a draft of the constitution. (AP Images)

The promise of a new constitution served as a cornerstone of Evo Morales’ campaign in the 2005 race to lead Bolivia. In the nearly three years since then, deep political divisions not only slowed the president’s constitutional reform process but threatened to tear apart the country through a growing autonomy movement in some provinces and demonstrations that at times turned violent. But after this period of turmoil and more than a month of talks, Morales supporters and opposition leaders achieved a compromise on October 21 to ratify a draft of the constitution. The document now requires the public’s approval in a January 2009 referendum. If approved, the country will hold a presidential election in December 2009.

The agreement was reached after conclusion of a weeklong march to La Paz by tens of thousands of Bolivians calling for congressional approval of the constitution. Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, joined the demonstrators and has pledged that the constitution will allow for wealth distribution for the country’s largely Indian population. Critics said it failed to recognize the greater autonomy desired by lowland provinces while placing too much control in the hands of the executive. Tensions reached a head in September when roughly 30 people died in clashes that took place in the northern department of Pando, prompting the Peace Corps to remove volunteers from the country.

Yet the two sides broke through an impasse when they agreed that, although the constitution would allow for presidents to serve two consecutive 5-year terms but that, should Morales gain reelection next year he would not seek another term in 2014. Political science Professor Miguel Centellas in his blog Pronto calls the new draft “relatively tame” and says the opposition “made impressive gains” He notes that compromises allow for greater departmental autonomy, require a two-thirds vote for constitutional amendments, dilutes the state’s ability to control the economy, and strengthened private property rights. The Organization of American States described the compromise reached as a “triumph.”

Despite signs of rapprochement in the country’s domestic political scene, U.S.-Bolivian relations continue to suffer. A diplomatic tit-for-tat began last month when La Paz expelled the U.S. envoy and Washington reciprocated by expelling Bolivia’s. After U.S. Congress decided to grant Bolivia 6-month inclusion in the Andean Trade Promotion Act Extension (ATPDEA), President George W. Bush proposed to suspend trade preference for the country for failure “to cooperate with the United States on important efforts to fight drug trafficking.” On Septmber 16, the State Department included Bolivia on a list of major drug producers.

Morales says his country does not need to fear the suspension of ATPDEA, yet his government plans to send representatives to Washington to lobby against the decision. A report by Cochabamba-based Democracy Center says suspension of ATPDEA could result in 20,000 job losses in Bolivia. The organization offers a video of Bolivian workers who describe how the pact has helped them secure employment.

In a recent AS/COA interview, Professor Alfonso Quiroz of Baruch College provides insight into the recent trend toward constitutional reform in Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia. Read additional coverage of political rifts in Bolivia.

Send questions and comments for the editor to: ascoa.online@as-coa.org.

See more in:  United States, Bolivia, Andean Region, Trade & NAFTA, Democracy & Elections