Bolivia is the grip of a power struggle between the president, Evo Morales, and three of the country’s wealthier departments in the east of the country known collectively as the Media Luna, who are seeking autonomy.
People & Power’s Bob Abeshouse visits the east and west of the South American country and explores forces that could lead to violence and even civil war.
Bolivia is the grip of a power struggle between the president, Evo Morales, and three of the country’s wealthier departments in the east of the country known collectively as the Media Luna, who are seeking autonomy.
People & Power’s Bob Abeshouse visits the east and west of the South American country and explores forces that could lead to violence and even civil war.
The people of Bolivia’s wealthiest province will go to the polls on Sunday to vote on plans for autonomy.
Surveys suggest most residents of Santa Cruz will vote in favour of keeping the province’s riches from being distributed to poorer areas of the country.
But there’s one group, the Poncho Rojas, or Red Ponchos, that vow to fight to the death if Santa Cruz tries to break away.
They are fiercely loyal to Evo Morales, the president.
Teresa Bo reports.
When Evo Morales, the Bolivian president, was elected two years ago he promised to rewrite Bolivia’s constitution to improve the lives of the indigenous majority, but this has led to a political crisis.Bolivia’s opposition, mainly the ultra-nationalist Socialist Phalange, says Morales reforms significantly heighten his own powers.After 16 month, a constituent assembly approved a draft constitution but the opposition calls it illegal, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo, has more on Bolivia’s divisions.
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