Bolivian Talks Aim to Forestall a Violent Split Sep 15, 2008
His vision is hamstrung by the governors of five economically crucial eastern provinces -- Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca -- who view the constitution as a power grab and a recipe for economic ruin. Four of the provinces have declared autonomy from the Morales government, so far a symbolic gesture only. (Wall Street Journal)
* Bolivia on edge as Morales issues ultimatum Sep 15, 2008
The presidents attempts to railroad through socialist reforms to redistribute land and natural gas revenues to the countrys 6 million-strong indigenous majority have been met with fierce resistance from conservative governors in five of Bolivias nine states X Santa Cruz, Pando, Beni, Tarija and Chuquisaca. They are opposed to his call for a December referendum to decide a new constitution enshrining his changes and want more control over revenues from lucrative gas fields. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
A growing crisis in polarized Bolivia Sep 15, 2008
Shipments of Bolivian natural gas to Brazil were interrupted last week after saboteurs caused a pipeline explosion in the southern department of Tarija. . (International Herald Tribune)
Bolivia talks end with signs of hope Sep 15, 2008
"There were major advances and we hope that (Monday night) we can sign an accord," said Tarija Gov. Mario Cossio who, along with the governors of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Chuquisaca provinces, is demanding that Morales' leftist government return to the regions tax income from natural gas and that it stop the constitutional reform process ... Tarija's governor also said that the borders with Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay were paralyzed. (International Herald Tribune -- Travel)
* Bolivia declares martial law in Amazonian province Sep 14, 2008
A challenge by rebel governors in five of Bolivias nine states X Pando, Beni, Tarija, Chuquisaca and Santa Cruz X to Morales bid to impose a socialist Constitution and to redefine land ownership in the country is fuelling the confrontations ... Mario Cossio, governor of the natural gas-rich Tarija region and representing the three other rebel governors who have rejected talks, met Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera at the presidential palace in La Paz. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Bolivia rivals eye compromise after talks Sep 14, 2008
The governor of natural gas-rich Tarija province, Mario Cossio, held talks at the presidential palace with the country's vice president into the early hours. "We have fulfilled the objective of opening talks, and let's hope that in the coming hours this turns into a sustained process of dialogue which results in a pact to resolve problems in the framework of national reconciliation," Cossio said. (International Herald Tribune)
Death toll in Bolivia unrest reaches 18 Sep 14, 2008
Tarija Gov. Mario Cossio announced he would travel to La Paz for negotiations. The protests temporarily disrupted natural gas exports to Brazil, which is Bolivia's No. 1 customer. (WSVN-TV Miami, FL)
Bolivia orders state of siege in province Sep 13, 2008
Tarija Gov. Mario Cossio announced he would travel to the capital, La Paz, for negotiations. "The first step will be to bring peace to the country, and second to reach an agreement," he said. (MSNBC -- International)
Bolivian government imposes martial law in violence-hit Pando province Sep 13, 2008
Violence increased in opposition-controlled provinces of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni and Pando in Bolivia ... During the past few weeks, violent acts have increased in the opposition-controlled provinces of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni and Pando in Bolivia. (Xinhuanet, China)
Deadly clashes strike Bolivia's east Sep 13, 2008
In the southeastern province of Tarija, near the border with Argentina, 88 people were wounded in similar clashes, Tarija government officials said Thursday. Also in Tarija, where most of the country's natural gas comes from, autonomy supporters blew up a pipeline, resulting in $8 million in losses of exports to Argentina and Brazil, the officials said ... Pro-autonomy groups seized control of a pipeline valve in the nearby town of Yacuiba, also in Tarija. (CNN -- World)
Street fights, gas disruptions assail Bolivia Sep 12, 2008
Protests have disrupted natural gas exports to Brazil Bolivia's No. 1 customer and apparently Argentina, as opposition groups in the provinces Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija fight Morales' leftist government for control of Bolivia's lucrative gas revenues. Government opponents also are demanding Morales cancel a Dec. 7 nationwide vote on a new constitution that would help him centralize power, run for a second consecutive term and transfer fallow terrain to landless peasants from Bolivia's... (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Bolivia to Expel US Ambassador Sep 12, 2008
The four departments, or states, of Tarija, Beni, Pando and Santa Cruz held non-legally sanctioned referendums earlier this year, approving their own autonomy statutes ... Over the past few days, groups of opposition loyalists have taken over several state institutions (airports, state television studios, educational facilities) in the opposition controlled departments of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni and Pando. (Time.com)
Bolivian Prez Kicking U.S. Ambassador Out Sep 11, 2008
At one, in the eastern province of Tarija, demonstrators triggered Wednesday's pipeline blast by closing a valve, creating pressure that ruptured the line near the border with Paraguay and set off a fire, the government said. No injuries were reported in what state energy company president Santos Ramirez called "a terrorist attack.". (CBS News)
Bolivia Expels American Ambassador Sep 11, 2008
Meanwhile, in the state of Tarija, an unknown person apparently sabotaged a valve on one of two pipelines that delivers gas to Argentina ... Wednesday's gas disruptions came a day after protesters in four provinces of the gas-rich east -- Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija -- stormed government buildings to protest Mr. Morales' decision to schedule a vote on the constitution for December. (Wall Street Journal)
U.S. Envoy Expulsion Causes `Serious Damage' to Bolivia Ties, Shannon Says Sep 11, 2008
A pipeline in the southern state of Tarija that carries natural gas to Brazil was attacked and cut. Gas shipments to Brazil will be reduced by 10 percent, or 3 million cubic meters a day, until repairs are made, the government said. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Amid growing unrest, Bolivia orders U.S. ambassador to leave Sep 11, 2008
They took a violent turn on Wednesday in the southern gas-rich department of Tarija, where Bolivia's state energy company accused protesters of causing a pipeline explosion that cut 10 percent of the country's natural gas exports to neighboring Brazil ... The protests in Tarija and neighboring departments, or provinces, have intensified since a referendum last month in which more than 67 percent of voters approved of Morales's presidency. (International Herald Tribune)
Bolivia expels U.S ambassador for fanning protests Sep 11, 2008
During the past few weeks, violent acts have increased in opposition-controlled provinces of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni and Pando. The opposition rightists demand full restitution of the Direct Tax on Hydrocarbons (IDH), which Morales reduced 30 percent to found the so-called Rent of Dignity, which is aimed at helping people over 60 years old who do not have a pension. (Xinhuanet, China)
Bolivia sets date for referendum Aug 30, 2008
The governors of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Cochabamba have already vowed to prevent their regions from participating in the poll. Their supporters have repeatedly blocked airstrips to prevent the president from landing in those areas. (BBC News -- Americas)
* Morales calls poll on new constitution Aug 30, 2008
The governors of the states of Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija and Chuquisaca X all with populations of mostly European descent and with indigenous minorities X are demanding more control over revenues from gas fields in their territories that are vital to the economy of Bolivia, South Americas poorest nation. Morales has been prevented in recent weeks by protesters in those states from landing his aircraft. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
* Bolivia split as lowlands defy the revolution Aug 27, 2008
The recall referendum, which applied to provincial governors as well as the president, bounced two opposition leaders from office, but the governors in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija, flying an autonomy banner, emerged stronger. A rare meeting to try to bridge the gap between the two sides flopped. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Bolivians strike for share of gas profits Aug 22, 2008
Officials in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija -- states in the wealthy, eastern lowland known as the "Media Luna," or half-moon -- and Chuquisaca, also in the eastern part of the country, instructed residents not to leave their homes until the end of the one-day strike, Bolivian newspaper El Diario reported ... Despite the solid show of support for Morales, the vote also endorsed the leaders in Santa Cruz, Pando, Beni and Tarija, making it impossible to reach a solution to the stalemate. (CNN -- World)
* Morales foes battle Bolivian authorities Aug 21, 2008
The opposition also staged strikes in Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca provinces, and local media reported greater participation in urban areas ... In the recall referendum, he won over 50 percent of votes in Pando and Chuquisaca, while in the other three provinces X Santa Cruz, Tarija and Beni X he got over 40 percent, thanks to strong support in rural areas. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Clashes erupt over president in Bolivia Aug 20, 2008
The opposition also staged strikes in Beni, Pando, Tarija, and Chuquisaca provinces, and local media reported greater participation in urban areas. Provincial governors from those areas want Morales to stop taking energy revenue previously earmarked for the provinces to fund a national pension plan. (Boston Globe)
Violence mars Bolivian protests Aug 20, 2008
In Tarija, the province holding much of the country's natural gas reserves, a small group of protesters was reported to have stormed and occupied a government building. One-day strikes were held in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca provinces. (BBC News)
Bolivian opposition protests in regional capitals Aug 20, 2008
Santa Cruz civic committee leader Branco Marincovik called the strike "successful" and said protesters would blockade highways in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca provinces on Wednesday. But Ruben Gammarra, vice minister of the interior, said the strike was partial and was observed only in the provincial capitals. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
Morales pledges full autonomy across Bolivia on constitutional basis Aug 15, 2008
Bolivia held a recall referendum on Sunday, during which Bolivians voted to decide whether Morales, Vice President Alvaro Garcia, and eight of the nine regional governors should stay in office, in response to votes for autonomy in the four provinces of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Pando and Beni earlier this year ... Morales believes there is little willingness to hold a dialogue among the rightist governors from the eastern provinces of the so-called "half moon" (Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija), as... (Xinhua)
Everybody loses in Bolivia's recall vote Aug 15, 2008
Before the recall election, protesters blocked Morales from visiting the provinces of Tarija and Santa Cruz. Today in Opinion. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
More Asia Pacific Stories World Headlines Bolivian opposition talks to Morales Aug 14, 2008
The governors of the states of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, Pando and Chuquisaca met with Morales late Wednesday in the capital city of La Paz, accepting an offer made by Morales to speak with them "unconditionally" following a weekend referendum that strengthened all their mandates, the president's included. There was however little progress at the event, said Tarija Governor Mario Cossio. (Yahoo! Asia News)
* Morales proposes talks with rivals Aug 13, 2008
The governors in the low-lying eastern states of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Pando and Beni X home to Bolivias crucially important gas fields X have dug in their heels over those moves and responded by making a push towards autonomy, an ambition Morales has branded illegal. . (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Bolivians back Morales in recall vote Aug 12, 2008
The four -- Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz and Tarija -- have resisted Morales' insistence that the central government control energy profits and decide how to distribute them. Natural gas and precious metals revenues have boomed since Morales nationalized the gas fields in 2006 and renegotiated extraction contracts. (CNN -- World)
Bolivian leader's gamble pays off as he wins recall referendum Aug 11, 2008
Four eastern lowland provinces - Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz and Tarija - have resisted Morales's insistence that the central government control energy profits and decide how to distribute them. Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
Recall vote in Bolivia seen as win for Morales Aug 11, 2008
In the days leading up the vote, protesters blockaded airport runways and prevented Morales from traveling to several regional capitals, reflecting the repudiation of his policies in petroleum-rich provinces, called departments, like Tarija and Santa Cruz. One opposition bastion, Sucre, has mounted a seemingly quixotic campaign to be named the country's capital. (International Herald Tribune)
* Anti-Morales protesters block runway to prevent visit Aug 9, 2008
Earlier this week protests at an airport in Tarija prompted him to scrap a planned meeting with the presidents of Argentina and Venezuela. Morales canceled a visit to Sucre for Independence Day celebrations after local authorities did not guarantee his security. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Morales Row With Bolivia Governors on Energy Wealth Heads to Showdown Vote Aug 9, 2008
Governors received less than 50 percent support in four provinces: pro-Morales Oruro, La Paz, opposition-run Cochabamba, and gas-rich Tarija, which voted for autonomy. The poll of 3,582 people has a margin of error of 2. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Latin leftists reshape democracy Aug 9, 2008
A woman protested Wednesday with antigovernment and pro-autonomy groups in Tarija, Bolivia. Jorge Silva. (Christian Science Monitor)
Political unrest ahead of Bolivia recall election President hopes vote... Aug 7, 2008
Though popular with the poor indigenous and peasant majority, such policies have alienated many middle- and upper-class Bolivians and further distanced Morales from the economic elite of four eastern provinces clamoring for more autonomy - Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija ... Political and economic leaders in the provinces of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija are at odds with the national government of President Evo Morales ... May and June: Governors in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija... (San Francisco Chronicle -- Politics)
* Summit in Bolivia canceled after two killed in violence Aug 7, 2008
AGENCIES, TARIJA AND LA PAZ, BOLIVIA Thursday, Aug 07, 2008, Page 7 ... Dozens of protesters tried to storm the main airport in Tarija in southern Bolivia, forcing Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez to call off a trip to the area, which is rich in natural gas, for energy talks with Morales ... And because 150 to 200 people cause trouble at [Tarija] airport. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Bolivia protests prevent summit Aug 6, 2008
Police used tear gas to break up protests at Tarija airport ... They cancelled the visit when protestors attempted to storm the runway at Tarija airport in the south ... In Tarija, police used tear gas to break up dozens of protesters at the airport, shouting slogans against Mr Chavez, who had been scheduled to land there with Ms Fernandez. (BBC News)
Chavez, Fernandez Cancel Bolivia Trip After Violence Kills Two Protesters Aug 6, 2008
Separate protests against President in Tarija also turned violent ... Chavez, Fernandez and Morales were expected to meet in the natural gas-rich province of Tarija, where they planned to announce the start of a bidding process to build a new gas separation plant, according to Fernandez's press office. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Car accidents in Bolivia kill 19 Jul 19, 2008
A bus carrying 28 passengers plunged off a cliff in Sama hill on Friday morning, just 20km from its destination -- the capital of Tarija state. Eight people were killed and 16 injured in the accident. (Xinhuanet, China)
U.S. ambassador returns to Bolivia seeking dialogue Jul 3, 2008
Morales called the national vote following votes for autonomy in the four provinces of Santa Cruz, Pando, Tarija and Beni this year. Editor: Du Guodong. (Xinhuanet, China)
Letter from Washington Jul 2, 2008
On June 22, Tarija Province - home to 80 percent of Bolivian gas reserves - voted for greater autonomy, the fourth region to do so in recent weeks. Eduardo Gamarra, a Bolivian professor of political science at Florida International University in Miami, said "there's absolutely no evidence" that the United States was involved in these efforts. (International Herald Tribune)
Governors snub Bolivia referendum Jun 25, 2008
On Sunday, the province of Tarija became the fourth to vote in favour of greater independence. The government has dismissed the autonomy referendums as illegal and has pointed to the high rate of abstentions - in Tarija's case put at some 30 ... The governors of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija - plus Cochabamba - issued a statement on Monday, saying they would not stage the planned recall referendum unless "it complies with the autonomy statutes" that have recently been approved. (BBC News -- Americas)
* Bolivia nationalizes company that owns countrys gas pipes Jun 4, 2008
He also complained that the former leadership of Transredes made a serious mistake on Saturday by handing over the documents on the planned enlargement of the Chaco gas pipe to Tarija Governor Mario Cossio, a declared opponent of Morales. Villegas said YPFB would undertake the enlargement of the Carrasco-Cochabamba gas pipe to guarantee the supply of natural gas to western Bolivia. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
2 more Bolivian states pass autonomy measures challenging Morales Jun 2, 2008
A fourth state, Tarija, will likely join the cause in a referendum on June 22. Statutes passed in Santa Cruz and on the ballot in Beni and Pando would protect huge cattle ranches and soy plantations from expropriation under Morales' land reform plan. (Sioux City Journal, IO)
* Bolivian states vote on autonomy Jun 2, 2008
Deep regional ties have allied poor and sparsely populated Beni and Pando with wealthy Santa Cruz, and a fourth state, Tarija, holds an autonomy vote on June 22. While the autonomy declarations call for steps toward a federalist model similar to the US, including the creation of locally elected state assemblies, they also seek more politically charged goals. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Bolivia states to vote on split Jun 1, 2008
Another autonomy vote is planned in Tarija, which has major gas reserves. Analysts say the votes reflect the hostility of the country's business and landowning elite towards President Morales, and his policies aimed at transferring wealth to the poor indigenous people of the western Andean regions. (BBC News -- Americas)
Bolivia's president sets date for recall vote May 15, 2008
Three other departments -- Beni, Pando and Tarija -- have planned votes on autonomy before June 22. The governors of those departments and Santa Cruz were no-shows Monday at a planned meeting with Morales at the National Palace. (CNN -- World)
Volcano holdouts are forced to flee May 9, 2008
The eastern lowland regions of Tarija, Beni, and Pando plan referendums before the end of June. (Reuters). (Boston Globe)
Bolivia to vote on president's rule May 9, 2008
The governors of the eastern lowland regions of Tarija, Beni and Pando, which also plan autonomy referendums before the end of June, said they would not meet Morales until after their votes have gone ahead. "Autonomy must be for all Bolivians, with social justice, not autonomy just for groups". (Aljazeera.net)
Bolivia Senate Clears Way for Recall Vote for Morales, Provincial Leaders May 9, 2008
Morales, a 48-year-old labor union activist who took office in January 2006, is seeking the fresh vote to offset a drive for regional autonomy by opposition prefects in the resource-rich eastern provinces of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, Pando and Cochabamba. According to exit polls, in a May 4 referendum in Santa Cruz, 85 percent of voters approved autonomy for the province in a vote Morales has called ``unconstitutional'' and an ``opinion poll. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
Bolivia's largest state votes on sweeping autonomy measure May 6, 2008
Three more eastern lowland states - Beni, Pando and Tarija - hold similar autonomy votes in June. With two other states considering similar referendums, Morales entire political project is threatened. (Victoria Star)
Push for autonomy shakes Bolivia May 6, 2008
"Now the real challenges come," says Oscar Montes, the mayor of the neighboring lowland provincial capital city of Tarija who was in Santa Cruz to support the referendum; his province will be holding an autonomy vote next month. "The task of constructing will be great, but we have entered a new stage and there is no turning back.". (Christian Science Monitor)
Exit polls: Bolivian state backs autonomy May 6, 2008
The matter traces back to July 2006, when 72 percent of voters in the affluent state of Santa Cruz voted for autonomy, as did three of the country's eight other departments -- Pando, Beni and Tarija. All opposed Morales' policies of land reform, energy nationalization, and a new constitution. (CNN -- World)
Morales rejects Bolivian autonomy vote May 5, 2008
Three other eastern states _ Beni, Pando and Tarija _ hold autonomy votes next month. No one is clear exactly how autonomy would alter Bolivia's heavily centralized government, under which state governors were appointed by the president until 2005. (Mattoon Journal-Gazette, IL)
Key Bolivia state favors more autonomy, exit polls show May 5, 2008
"This is a movement that is just taking root but will help define the country for years and years," said Vanesa Alvarado, who traveled to Santa Cruz yesterday with a group of autonomy supporters from the region of Tarija, which plans an autonomy vote next month. Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company. (Boston Globe)
Bolivian state votes on autonomy May 5, 2008
Three more eastern lowland states Beni, Pando and Tarija hold autonomy votes in June, and two other states are considering similar referendums. No one is clear on exactly how autonomy would alter Bolivia's heavily centralized government, under which state governors were appointed by the president until 2005. (MSNBC -- International)
Sporadic violence in Bolivia as province approves autonomy May 5, 2008
Three other eastern Bolivian provinces, Beni, Pando and Tarija, have scheduled similar autonomy votes in coming weeks, and leaders in another two of the country's nine provinces support such measures. Government Minister Alfredo Rada Velez blamed Sunday's violence on Santa Cruz leaders and called the situation "worrying and grave." Morales has accused the United States of pushing the autonomy vote, a charge U.S. officials deny, and his government has received the support of other leftist leaders... (Anchorage Daily News)
Bolivia's Santa Cruz Province Votes on Autonomy Today, Pressuring Morales May 4, 2008
Resistance to Morales has spread to four of the country's other eight provinces, including the gas-rich region of Tarija, on the border with Argentina. Leaders in Tarija, Beni, Pando and Cochabamba are also considering autonomy votes. (Bloomberg -- Latin America)
U.S. Rancher in Bolivia Showdown May 4, 2008
" He has since denied that he implied a separatist movement for Santa Cruz or the other three eastern states: Beni, Pando and Tarija, which will hold similar votes this summer. But critics say the remark betrayed an underlying goal of the country's eastern elite: gaining total control over Bolivia's vast natural gas reserves and its most fertile land. Conflict over land is also at the heart of the clash over a new draft constitution restricting an individual's land holdings to just under 25,000... (Time.com)
On the brink?An autonomy referendum in Bolivia sparks crisis fears May 2, 2008
Other referendums on greater autonomy are to be held in the three other departments (Beni, Pando and Tarija). Two others (Chuquisaca and Cochabamba) are considering doing the same. (BBC News -- Americas)
Floods Halt Political Infighting In Bolivia Feb 15, 2008
"We hope the government will answer the letter we sent, telling us if they're willing to dialogue and agree on solutions or not," the governor of natural gas-rich Tarija province, Mario Cossio, told reporters. Governors of the Amazonian provinces of Beni and Pando said they were focused on tending to thousands of homeless families, rather than organizing protests. (Planet Ark, United States)
'Journeying toward Justice' Feb 9, 2008
In Tarija, a little city bordering Argentina, Sister Aceto supervised the orphanages. It was there that she took a group of 25 children, who were delinquents and street kids, and formed a group called New Hope. (Racine Journal Times, WI)
USAID Provides Flood Assistance to Bolivia Jan 30, 2008
Rising waters of the Ichilo and Grande rivers in Santa Cruz Department and the Bermejo River in Tarija Department have obstructed roads, destroyed houses and crops and led to evacuations, according to the GOB. Heavy rains are forecast to continue in northern Bolivia through Feb. 4. The U.S. Government stands ready to further assist the people of Bolivia should it be necessary. (PR Newswire)
Lawyers To Britney: Show Up In Court Or Lose Kids! Jan 15, 2008
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