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Will the Country Split Over the Constitution?

December 15, 2007 may be remembered as a turning point for the country of Bolivia. As President Evo Morales continues to push his political agenda unilaterally, he may be remembered as the president under whom the country divided.

Opposition governors discussing declaring autonomy and the illegal constitution, Autonomy supporters in the city of Santa Cruz, Bolivia

One of President Evo Morales' political promises when elected in 2005 was to rewrite the constitution. To his credit, there were laws that needed to be rewritten. After a year of amending articles, delegates ratified the new Bolivian constitution this past week. The only problem is that the ratification process included only a majority of the ruling MAS (Movement Towards Socialism) party. None of the opposing delegates were on hand which has created deep divisions in this poverty stricken nation.

The indigenous Indian population identify themselves more with the MAS party and the current president. To the poor, President Morales is their savior who has fought and championed against the oligarchy. Using a seemingly endless amount of funds being given by the Venezuelan Government, he has enacted new programs of social welfare, mainly to the benefit of the poor.

The new constitution appears to be very partial towards the indigenous population via new laws granting them broader rights and power. In contrast the new laws would strip the middle and upper class of their wealth which would be redistributed to the poor. The new constitution pushes the country on the fringes of a new left wing socialistic society. When President Morales presented the new illegal constitution to a large group of Aymara and Quechua supporters this past December 15, 2007, six of the nine Bolivian departments (states) simultaneously ratified new statues declaring themselves autonomous from the central government.

This autonomy will create numerous problems for President Morales because his government depends on the revenue generated by these oil and gas rich departments to help support the central government and other poorer departments of Bolivia. Each side is very polarized and each sides actions may help determine the future of Bolivia.

We have received many requests from our supporters to know more about our trip to Bolivia this past September and how the current political situation influences the hospital. This current political storm has been brewing for some time now. We were beginning to see the potential affects for some time now but it wasn’t until this past September that the effects were felt directly by our organization. President Morales has now fully taken off his “mask” and his true intentions are being seen clearly. His hatred of the United States and anything associated with the US is looked on with disdain. With the President’s actions and continuous inflammatory words, he is creating an environment of hatred and violence. These feelings are trickling down to permeate many segments of the general population. The unusual situation is most of our resistance comes unexpectedly from the people that we are there to serve, the poor.

Where do we stand as a Christian organization committed to peace, security and health? My response is this situation is playing out as a historic spiritual battle. The two sides of good and evil have drawn their lines and are fighting over the hearts and souls of each Bolivian and we are sitting in the spectator stands watching the game unfold. We will continue to serve people no matter what political party or religion. We will turn our cheek when struck and offer the other. Isn’t that what Jesus would and did do (Matthew 5:9, Galatians 5:18, 1 Peter 3:11)!

Bolivia needs your prayers! We need your input and support as we proceed into the virtual unknown created by the current political environment.

In Bolivia, growing tension over Morales' socialist vision

Two years after Bolivia made Evo Morales its first president from among its indigenous people, the country is deeply divided over his ongoing efforts to fundamentally change society. He still enjoys significant support, especially among the millions of mostly impoverished indigenous people, but the wealthier areas in the east are troubled by his plans. Los Angeles Times (free registration) (12/28)

Hope or Curse for Bolivia?

We all expected changes when in Bolivia Evo Morales, an indigenous coca producer, was elected president about 2 years ago. Mr. Morales promised to be different from previous presidents, change the country for the better and provide for the poor. To accomplish this goal the people of Bolivia voted on a referendum to rewrite the actual Political Constitution of Bolivia, and change it by a new one that would benefit all the people of Bolivia and not only a few.

For this reason, an Assembly of people representing the official government and the opposition were elected to write the articles of the new Constitution. Although many months were dedicated to writing this new document it was not possible for all the members of the Assembly to come to an agreement on most articles, tension began within the group and it seemed they would fail to have a new constitution by their already extended deadline December 15^th, 2007.

The political party MAS (Movement Towards Socialism) party of the President would not accept the defeat of not having a new constitution since this was the biggest change the President has pushed towards during his government. They decided to continue on having sessions to finish the constitution even though this was considered illegal since they didn’t have all the members of the assembly present and didn’t meet in their assigned location. Many new laws were created to allow changes of location for the meetings of the assembly and after much debate according to the MAS and the President the new constitution is finished, and ready to be presented and accepted by Bolivian people.

Needless to say, all this has caused uproar in the country, which has now divided the people on those who support the constitution and those who will assume a position of autonomy and totally ignore it. This new Political Constitution is supposed to be presented publicly on December 15^th, in the city of La Paz and has created concern because of the possible outbursts of violence it may generate all around the country.

By: EVW