Bytes in the Margin

Heading into 2008, Bolivia is fundamentally polarized such that no resolution seems possible.  Granted, it has been like this for almost four years now, but with both sides unwillingly to concede or even talk, you have to wonder how much longer lines on a map will continue to hold it together.  The LA times summarizes the ...

Bolivia's Constituent Assembly, charged with rewriting the country's constitution by December 14th, has suspended its work indefinitely.  Campesinos and other indigenous groups plan to march through the streets of Sucre peacefully to advocate national unity.  But what's does national unity mean when the MAS party, the party of the president, changes the assembly rules, so that ...

It's been one year since Evo Morales became Bolivia's president.  While the goals of his administration - refounding the country on a more equitable foundation - are hard to argue with, his methods and results are disastrous.  He's used demagougery and stirred up his supporters to cause civil unrest and blockades around the country in the ...

As usual, MABB has an informative analysis of the situation in Bolivia, where 4 of the 9 departments have elected to reject the new constitution if the Constituent Assembly revokes the 2/3 majority rule.  Governments and opposition forces have had some violent confrontations, resulting in almost 70 people wounded during one altercation.In Santa Cruz city, groups ...

Your semi-regular Bolivia update.  The governors from six of the nine departments (states) have cut all communications with the federal government.  The six represent the economically strongest regions of the country.  MAS, Morales political party, amended the rules of the Constituent Assembly to require a simple majority, instead of 2/3 majority, to amend the Constitution.  Also ...