Morales: ¡Adelante la Revolución!
An interesting action was done by the Bolivian president Morales, consisting of the nationalization of Bolivia’s natural resources, and aiming the multinational companies. He is not kidding, as he started to nationalize gas and petroleum. “This is the solution for Bolivian’s social problems”, said audaciously the Indian president, who is intending to chase the multinational firms, and following Hugo Chavez way. The action is not effective, but amazing and inciting for challenge.
We are far from the 60’s, where used to rule Guevara’s slogan: “Hay que combater a los yankees, viva la revolución, …” but Bolivia is so poor with nevertheless huge resources that are consumed by the non Bolivian companies, he is obviously keeping his promises and obeying to his people, but he will pay his revolutionary behavior: Bolivia will be isolated and added to the axis of evil, in addition, USA will set economical embargo, political sanctions, … However, Bolivians have nothing to lose: they can not be in a worse situation anyway.
Let’s wait and see whether this politic will contribute to Bolivia’s evolution and will figure out about social problems and then get rid of poverty, in a country where many people are illiterate and do not even speak Spanish.
May 2nd, 2006 at 11:02 pm
Evo Morales has added a new chapter to the Bolivian “gas war” by annoucing the official nationalisation of all gas fields in Bolivia. All forgein companies currently involved in the Bolivian gas industry are required to agree new contracts with the state-run firm, Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), within 180 days. As part of the nationalisation program, Bolivia will keep up to 82% of their revenues, allowing them just the remaining 18%.
Evo Morales decision to nationalise the Bolivian gas industry was expected. However it is concerning Evo Morales decision will not only impact the United States and Europe but the countries part of the “South American nation” Evo Morales pledged to support as part of his signing of the The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas. Read more about “The Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas” at Dark Matter Politics.
Petrobras, Brazil’s leading oil company has invested more than $1bn in Bolivia and controls 45% of its gas production. This decision will mark a clear break between Mr Morales and Lula - jeopardizing the relationship between Bolivia and Brazil. This is a massive blow to Brazil’s president who is facing re-election the 1st of October, 2006.
Now that Evo Morales has control over the gas fields he will require control over the distribution of these resources. This will lead to increased pressure by his administration on the Chilean government and international community (mainly the Organization of American States) to review Bolivia’s access to the sea. Bolivia and Chile broke off full diplomatic ties in 1978 over the outcome of a land and sea war at the end of 1879, when Chile won mineral-rich coastal territory from Bolivia. Bolivia wants to negotiate sea access through northern Chile so that its natural resources and agricultural products can be sold to the booming markets of the Asia-Pacific region. But Chile has opposed ceding territory to Bolivia.
The political and economic animosity of Bolivians toward Chile should not be underestimated - it will impact any negotiations between both nations. Bolivia’s only other alternative is to build a pipeline through Peru, however a basic knowledge of the regions geography indicates this would be an expensive undertaking. It is unlikely Chile will comprise its sovereignty over a “Sea for Gas” agreement proposed by many Bolivians (69% of Chilean respondents believe a solution should be taken without ceding territory). Furthermore, it is unlikely Evo Morales will cease in his pledge to return the sea to his Bolivian citizens.
Without a doubt Bolivia’s “gas war” has now become a regional issue which could destabilise the South American region. Furthermore, Evo Morales future approach towards his regional counterparts including Brazil and Chile will determine the true extent of his ideals and drive for South American integration.
More on this story at www.darkmatterpolitics.com
May 4th, 2006 at 8:20 am
Thanks “Dark” for the interesting informations. In fact, nobody would think about conflicts in Latin American between “leftists”, yet it’s very possible.
However, I wonder whether this issue would affect Lula’s popularity in next elections: he will win anyway, not for he is popular, but for the little chances of his oponent who belongs to the same party, but what will be decisive is that she is a woman, and she is not as experienced as Lula.