Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LAPAZ1261
2008-06-04 22:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
BOLIVIA: GOVERNMENT LOSING INFLUENCE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001261
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM EINV EAID BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: GOVERNMENT LOSING INFLUENCE
REF: A. LA PAZ 1258
B. LA PAZ 1244
C. LA PAZ 1243
D. LA PAZ 1189
E. LA PAZ 1150
Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4b,d
C O N F I D E N T I A L LA PAZ 001261
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM EINV EAID BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: GOVERNMENT LOSING INFLUENCE
REF: A. LA PAZ 1258
B. LA PAZ 1244
C. LA PAZ 1243
D. LA PAZ 1189
E. LA PAZ 1150
Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4b,d
1. (C) Summary: Less than two weeks after President Evo
Morales had to cancel his visit the constitutional capital of
Sucre because of violent protests, it appears that Evo and
his ruling Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party are losing
control of sectors that used to be considered strongly
pro-MAS. While people muddle through everyday life almost as
normal--accustomed to Bolivia's recent tradition of weak
governments--groups with local power are prevailing against
military and police authority as the government backs down to
avoid bloodshed. Although Evo is also alienating neighbors,
the main target of Evo and the MAS continues to be the United
States. End summary.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Might Makes Right: Evo's Grip Slips
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (C) Basic central government control over the functioning
of the country is increasingly problematic. Transport
workers on June 4 paralyzed almost all of the interior of the
country with road blockades, protesting road conditions and
taxes. While in recent weeks a number of incidents in
opposition-controlled areas have highlighted the regionality
of MAS control. On May 24 despite the initial presence of
police, military and pro-government social groups, Evo was
forced by protesters to cancel his visit to the
constitutional capital of Sucre. The same day, Presidency
Minister Juan Ramon Quintana was not able to visit
opposition-controlled Pando, where there had been protests
against a vice-presidential visit a week earlier. On April 5
Evo was only able to visit the outskirts of Tarija because of
threats of confrontations, and his earlier visits to Santa
Cruz were limited to MAS-controlled areas. In late May, Evo
was forced to turn back from several attempted visits to
Beni, where he was attempting to deliver aid.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
An Anarchy of Autonomies
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
3. (C) Evo and the MAS's lack of influence in
opposition-controlled areas is less surprising than recent
events which have shown that the central government is also
losing control among groups that used to be considered MAS
stalwarts. On June 3, residents of the border town of
Desaguadero (in MAS-stronghold La Paz department, on the
border with Peru) joined their Mayor in attacking Minister of
Defense Walker San Miguel, driving the minister and his
military guards out of town and then burning the customs
office. Desaguadero Mayor Espiridion Mamani said, "The
military showed up without prior coordination. This is an
autonomous municipal government...we will not allow the
military to be watching over the lake (Titicaca); we deserve
respect." (Note: The military went to Desaguadero to crack
down on smuggling, a serious problem at this border crossing.
End note.)
4. (C) On the same day, indigenous communities in Chuquisaca
and Potosi announced their intent to reestablish the nation
of Qhara Qhara (which straddled the two departments in
pre-Inca times),declaring their autonomy and their goal of
separating from Bolivia. According to local indigenous
leader Gab
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/04/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC PHUM EINV EAID BL
SUBJECT: BOLIVIA: GOVERNMENT LOSING INFLUENCE
REF: A. LA PAZ 1258
B. LA PAZ 1244
C. LA PAZ 1243
D. LA PAZ 1189
E. LA PAZ 1150
Classified By: EcoPol Chief Mike Hammer for reasons 1.4b,d
1. (C) Summary: Less than two weeks after President Evo
Morales had to cancel his visit the constitutional capital of
Sucre because of violent protests, it appears that Evo and
his ruling Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party are losing
control of sectors that used to be considered strongly
pro-MAS. While people muddle through everyday life almost as
normal--accustomed to Bolivia's recent tradition of weak
governments--groups with local power are prevailing against
military and police authority as the government backs down to
avoid bloodshed. Although Evo is also alienating neighbors,
the main target of Evo and the MAS continues to be the United
States. End summary.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Might Makes Right: Evo's Grip Slips
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2. (C) Basic central government control over the functioning
of the country is increasingly problematic. Transport
workers on June 4 paralyzed almost all of the interior of the
country with road blockades, protesting road conditions and
taxes. While in recent weeks a number of incidents in
opposition-controlled areas have highlighted the regionality
of MAS control. On May 24 despite the initial presence of
police, military and pro-government social groups, Evo was
forced by protesters to cancel his visit to the
constitutional capital of Sucre. The same day, Presidency
Minister Juan Ramon Quintana was not able to visit
opposition-controlled Pando, where there had been protests
against a vice-presidential visit a week earlier. On April 5
Evo was only able to visit the outskirts of Tarija because of
threats of confrontations, and his earlier visits to Santa
Cruz were limited to MAS-controlled areas. In late May, Evo
was forced to turn back from several attempted visits to
Beni, where he was attempting to deliver aid.
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
An Anarchy of Autonomies
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
3. (C) Evo and the MAS's lack of influence in
opposition-controlled areas is less surprising than recent
events which have shown that the central government is also
losing control among groups that used to be considered MAS
stalwarts. On June 3, residents of the border town of
Desaguadero (in MAS-stronghold La Paz department, on the
border with Peru) joined their Mayor in attacking Minister of
Defense Walker San Miguel, driving the minister and his
military guards out of town and then burning the customs
office. Desaguadero Mayor Espiridion Mamani said, "The
military showed up without prior coordination. This is an
autonomous municipal government...we will not allow the
military to be watching over the lake (Titicaca); we deserve
respect." (Note: The military went to Desaguadero to crack
down on smuggling, a serious problem at this border crossing.
End note.)
4. (C) On the same day, indigenous communities in Chuquisaca
and Potosi announced their intent to reestablish the nation
of Qhara Qhara (which straddled the two departments in
pre-Inca times),declaring their autonomy and their goal of
separating from Bolivia. According to local indigenous
leader Gab