Partial strikes in six departments occur with only limited conflict
Six departments partially complied with a one day work stoppage called by regional government and business leaders on November 28. The purpose of the strike was to show discontent with the way MAS assembly members approved a draft constitution without the opposition present on November 24 in Sucre.
Some violence occurred in Santa Cruz as members of the militant Santa Cruz Youth Union attacked market stalls in an attempt to force vendors to comply with the strike. In other regions, MAS supporters and opposition prefect supporters clashed, but no serious injuries have been reported. In Cochabamba, many businesses, including the opposition-owned Burger King and the Tennis Club, remained open despite blockades in the center of the city.{mosimage}
Congress approves legislation in the absence of opposition members
Both houses of congress met together in a late night session on November 27, without most of the opposition, and made two important decisions. First, the legislature endorsed the Renta Dignidad, a monthly pension for Bolivians over sixty, and the redistribution of resources from oil and gas revenues from departmental to central governments to pay for it. Congress also modified the law convoking the constitutional assembly, allowing its president to hold sessions in other locations if it is not possible to meet in Sucre.
The opposition boycott did not impede voting because MAS has a majority in the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house, and obtained a quorum in the Senate with votes from two alternate senators from opposition parties.[1] These decisions further angered the opposition, who complained to the media that MAS supporters blocked their entrance to the session. Jorge Quiroga, leader of the opposition party Podemos, stated, “If there is no state, if there is no security, if there is no democracy for the Parliament in the Plaza Murillo, then what can we hope for in other parts of Bolivia?”[2]
Benefit for the elderly cuts into departmental budgets
The new Renta Dignidad provides a benefit of about 26 dollars per month to all Bolivians over the age of sixty. This benefit replaces the underfunded Bono Solidario and will provide assistance to 676,000 people. The Renta Dignidad requires an annual investment of 215 million dollars, most of which will come from a redistribution of the Direct Hydrocarbons Tax (IDH).
While nearly all authorities recognize the need for this benefit, opposition governors contest the legality of paying for it by a redistribution of the IDH, which will result in a cut to their budgets. They view this move as an attempt by President Morales to stem growing departmental power more than as a way to help the elderly. Morales officials counter that departments receive a disproportional share of oil and gas revenues and do not invest them responsibly.
Congress allows change of assembly location
The original law convoking the constitutional assembly states that the assembly will meet in Sucre. As the December 14 deadline approaches and protests continue to prevent the assembly from convening, the MAS majority in Congress took measures to ensure the assembly will be able to fulfill its mandate. Whether these actions result in further protests or a new constitution remains to be seen.
It is unclear when and where the assembly will meet next, and if the opposition will participate. Some opposition leaders are calling for a meeting with the government, mediated by the Church, as a way to begin negotiations. However, these same political parties refuse to participate in the assembly until the draft constitution that was approved on November 24 is annulled.
The next step in the constitutional process is for each of the 408 articles of the draft constitution to be approved by a 2/3 vote of the entire assembly. This is impossible without the participation of the opposition. A MAS assembly member stated, “If the opposition does not want to participate, we can’t force them to.” He added that the President can call a popular referendum after December 14 if there are no agreements made with the opposition.[3] As MAS has a majority support in the country, these statements from both sides do not bode well for compromise and a negotiated exit to the ongoing problems in Bolivia.
Police return to Sucre, officer presumed dead returns
On November 27, President Morales ordered police forces to return to Sucre from Potosi. The police withdrew from Sucre on November 25 after pro-Sucre protestors attacked officers and police installations. The police initially refused to return, citing a lack of infrastructure and security. The departmental commander stated that without guarantees from the national and regional government, “we cannot put ourselves into the wolf’s mouth.”[4]
Fortunately, Officer Jimmy Quispe Colque appeared alive on November 27. Police spokesmen had claimed that a mob of protestors lynched him on November 24. He had been in hiding in Potosi after protestors attacked him in Sucre.
The police estimate the cost of damage to their facilities from the protests to be one million dollars. The federal government will funnel addition funds from the hydrocarbons tax to the Chuquisaca prefect and the mayor of Sucre to cover these expenses.[5]
It is encouraging that strikes throughout most of Bolivia did not lead to further violence. Yet, all sides in the conflict must be willing to budge from their entrenched positions in order to seek compromises to avoid acute conflict in the future.
Photos by Emily Becker
1. ABI. “Presidente Morales promulgó Ley de la Renta Dignidad No. 3791.” November 28, 2007.
2. Los Tiempos. “Fieles a Morales aprueban leyes mientras campesinos cerraban paso a oposición.” November 28, 2007.
3. La Prense. “El oficialismo debatirá en detalle la CPE sin la oposición.” November 28 2007.
4. La Razón. “La Policía no irá a Sucre, pese a la orden del Gobierno.” November 28, 2007.
5. Los Tiempos. “Efectivos policiales iniciaron recién hoy retorno gradual a Sucre.” November 28, 2007.