Bolivia: expulsions and explosions

The crisis in Bolivia is still rumbling on despite the overwhelming support given to Morales in the recent referendum. There are two new developments both related to the so-called autonomy movement who, despite their name, are not free thinking anarchists but well heeled racist arseholes of the highest order.

But whilst Bolivia has plenty of home grown plutocrats and would be oppressors to deal with it also has pressure on it from the outside. You will not be surprised to learn that one major international headache comes from the United States and Bolivia has today been forced to expel the US ambassador (right) for "conspiring against democracy" (example).

The expulsion comes in the midsts of growing violent protests by those who oppose alleviating the poverty of the indigenous majority through a program of land reform, taxation on large corporations and various social democratic reforms like the institution of old age pensions and child benefit. You know, all that really evil stuff that makes right thinking people angry.

According to Jim Shultz rioters from the Unión Juvenil Cruceñista, a neo-fascist organisation, have burnt down government and commercial buildings, stolen guns, and fought the army and police. Then right wing leaders have the cheek to describe this as a "peaceful takeover" of buildings, specifically those involved in redistributing land to the poor, whilst the Governor of Santa Cruz described this as a reaction to "government terrorism".

I find it difficult to engage with the argument that reversing social injustice is terrorism of any kind - but he's clearly worried by it. This man was described by one website I read today as "el extremo del cretinismo parlamentario" which I rather liked so I thought I'd pass that comment on.

I have to say that when it's these "peaceful" folks who are blowing up gas pipelines it does rather undermine their argument that they are the democratic activists committed to a fairer Bolivia.

The facts are there is serious trouble in Bolivia because the established order is threatened. The rich, white elites are scared that there day is done. The years gone by when they had the ear of the government are over and there is a new government - one that comes directly from the trade unions and social movements - who, whilst their programs have been surprisingly moderate, are committed to making society more equal.

Bolivia is a living lesson for us all - that when we are in a position to seriously enact a radical agenda the old order will not simply roll over and let us reform them away.