Three Political Issues that Gave Origin to the Violence in Cochabamba
Evo Morales and Manfred Reyes Villa were elected by absolute majority back in December 2005, one, as the President of the Republic of Bolivia and the other as Prefect (Governor) of Cochabamba. In this department, Morales won with the support of the Social Movements and Reyes with the support of the middle class and private sector. In the past, the president appointed governors in Bolivia but a law was passed around the middle of 2005 stating that it was the people in the different departments (states) be the ones to choose their local authorities. The change came about but the internal laws about the work of the governors never changed giving them latitude to act with the freedom they would have as though they were appointed by the president. This created the first political issue related to power: ¿To whom are the elected governors going to listen and summit, to the people who elected them or the president?
The second issue came about also as part of the elections in 2005, when the congress wanted to know from all the 9 departments in Bolivia about a resolution to either become autonomous or to continue with a centralized government. The result was that four of the departments Beni, Pando, Tarija and Santa Cruz wanted to become autonomous then, La Paz, Potosi, Sucre, Oruro and Cochabamba decided for the other but La Paz and Cochabamba voters results were almost tight creating a political argument about autonomies versus centralized government which is the position of President Morales and his party.
The third political issue, evolved out of the call by the president to re-write the constitution inviting the social margin, who were never consulted to write the present constitution, to now be represented and raise their voices. All Bolivians agree on this liberating process, but the power issue popped up when the assembly discovered that the majority of the representatives elected were part of President Morales political party MAS (Movement Towards Socialism) and how to vote became a power issue. The present constitution calls for a 2/3 process and of course MAS wanted to vote by simple majority.
The Confrontation of People in Cochabamba
These three issues came together when Governor Reyes took a clear political stand stating that he supported autonomy in Cochabamba and a vote of 2/3 in the assembly re-writing the constitution.The social movements reacted to this position by blocking the main roads to Cochabamba, congregating by the hundreds in the Square Plaza and demanding Governor Villa to resign from his office. This radical position by the social movements was loaded by the same force that threw President GONI out in October 2003, except then all the people supported the Social Movements but now they do not have the middle class and private sectors of Cochabamba behind them; on the contrary, this time all these people decided to support the governor and went out to the streets to raise their voice creating the tragic confrontation of last week which left more than 100 wounded and two people dead. That climate has not changed in Cochabamba and it is not safe to be in the streets because the social movements seem to be intimidating because they act in big groups and tend to act blindly. Last week we witnessed aggression to public property, civilians and to the press, which we have never seen before.
What Could Happen Now
From our perspective at this point there are not democratic spaces to deal with this problem, placing Bolivia in one of the most difficult situations ever since we have been here and this is because democracy is very much in danger. If the governor is thrown out by force of the social movements then anyone in office that they do not like would be removed from their position just because they block the roads, destroy property and implement their say, leaving democratic elections behind.If the governor stays in office the autonomies and 2/3 issues will continue to divide Cochabamba and perhaps the country leaving the present government unable to govern unless by the force of the social movements and the road of dictatorship which could also be devastating.
Bolivia is a diverse and multicultural country and democracy is fragile here, thus it is very easy to miss read social and political tendencies. Perhaps that is what happened to Ché Guevara in Bolivia. A new democratic political initiative needs to be created at this time in order provide a space for dialog, tolerance and the restoration of peace in Cochabamba.
We are Called to do the Mission of Jesus Christ
The Christian mission is about interaction with people so the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be extended and we plan to continue doing just that in Cochabamba both with the rich and with the poor, educated and uneducated, male and female, children and old, with those who support the President and with those who oppose him. In reality both representations can be found in our ministry context and we feel at this point we find ourselves being called to stay put and serve our brethren here in Bolivia along with our partners, the Bolivian Baptist Union.
The panorama changes because we realize that this situation can be dangerous at times and in order to minimize the risk we are calling you our support system and volunteers to consider our following recommendations:
- Pray for that democratic initiative needed at this time to bring peace to Bolivia would come about as soon as possible.
- We recognize that the political stability in Bolivia is fragile and it could change at any moment either for good or for bad. Thus, we are stocking up food and offering help to those who we minister to. If you feel called to help on this matter please consider donations toward this end.
- If you are a volunteer planning to come to minister among us please note that at this point we will not travel outside the city to the mountains or the jungle until we can warranty it is absolutely safe. So we welcome you, but please note that your ministry will be confined to only local Cochabamba ministry with the House of Hope, The Baptist Seminary, Churches and any other local ministries run by the Bolivian Baptist Union. We also have been required by ABC-BIM to provide an emergency evacuation plan and you will be part of it. Thus, we might have to request from you paying attention to the limitations for travelling and the real danger of exposing yourselves including some parts of the city.This is now true for our sons who at this time are at home and they cannot go out by themselves or drive alone in the city. These are secure measurements and are transitory they may change from day to day the real issue here is stay safe and do the mission of Jesus Christ among those who surround us.
Update on Iris' Health
Iris continues to be under medical vigilance with a team of doctors here in Bolivia. She seems much, much better. She is on thyroid medication and her energy is back to almost normal. She is also receiving therapy on her neck because of the trauma of the operation. We are thankful for all your letters, visits, phone calls, cards, gifts and personal words of encouragement to her. Perhaps we will never be able to contact all of you personally to say thanks for all your love and care at one of the most challenging moments in our life as family and ministry. May God continue blessing you with abundant grace, love and kindness! As Iris continues with her treatments we appreciate your prayers for complete recuperation from cancer.
On behalf of Iris, Mario Jr. Ben and myself thank you for your missionary partnership and your support that helps us keep here on the field doing the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In His love,
Mario, Iris, Mario Jr. and Ben Morales
Cochabamba, Bolivia