Unrest in Bolivia spreads after disputed election
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Tension over Bolivia’s disputed presidential elections escalated sharply this week as a protest that turned violent left two people dead, and a sizable segment of the armed forces warned that they would not crack down on demonstrators on behalf of President Evo Morales.
As the impasse over who gets to govern the country devolves into broader violence, Bolivia’s young democracy is facing a pivotal test.
Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, claims he won a fourth consecutive mandate in the Oct. 20 election. But opponents say the vote was marred by systematic fraud and have taken to the streets to protest.
On Thursday, with much of the nation paralyzed by demonstrations, strikes and blockades, a team from the Organization of American States began an audit of election records.
“We find ourselves in a volatile and uncertain moment,” said Marcelo Arequipa, a political analyst in La Paz, the capital. “Perceptions and emotions are stronger than facts, so that is what we’re being governed by.”
At the same time, Morales called on supporters to stifle protests by cutting off access points to cities, a provocative tactic that curtailed the movement of people and goods across the nation this week.
As anger against Morales has swelled, many in the opposition have shifted from calling for a runoff between the president and his main challenger, Carlos Mesa, to demanding the ouster of Morales, who has been in office since 2006.
Their rage simmered after two anti-government demonstrators were killed Wednesday in the city of Montero in Santa Cruz province, after a rampage of gunfire that left several other people wounded. It was not clear who opened fire on the demonstrators.
Mesa has said he does not see the audit as a viable way to resolve the dispute and has urged his supporters to remain mobilized on the streets.
Despite the protests, Morales retains broad popular support. Yet a letter released by members of the armed forces on Wednesday night signaled a striking level of dissent among midlevel military officers.
The letter, which is unsigned, asserts that it represents the views of 2,933 officers from the army, air force and navy. It warns that the armed forces are unwilling to crack down on anti-government demonstrations.
“The armed forces of the state will never take up arms against the people,” the officers said in the letter, which was addressed to Morales and the top leaders of the military. “Our weapons will only be raised to defend our people, our Constitution and our laws.”
Morales on Thursday called on supporters to halt the siege of cities, a measure he called for last weekend.