He loves me. He loves me not. Bolivia’s indigenous groups must be heartbroken, and confused, on President’s Morales’ decision to pave a road through the TIPNIS region, a sacred land for indigenous groups where they are guaranteed constitutional rights to be able to govern the area without interference from the central government. Consequently, President Morales is being held accountable for sidestepping on his promises towards fighting ardently for indigenous social and political rights.
The irony behind this situation is President Evo Morales was elected to the presidency – the first indigenous president in Latin America – by championing indigenous rights against the “neoliberal” politicians and the capitalist elite of the Western region of Bolivia. When elected, President Morales initially delivered on his promises – to the detriment of the national economy – by engaging in conflict with the U.S. government, Brazilian gas companies, and European multinationals. The conditions has flip flopped, galvanized by President Morales himself extending his hand too far, where a tumultuous confrontation exists with his own political base.
The road causing such furor is being developed in the northeast corner of Bolivia to the border of Chile, where its ports are located. Yet, there is another component that is getting muted by the indigenous protests – Brazil. The main purpose of the road is to connect Brazil in a more efficient manner to the Chilean ports. Currently, it takes 16 hours to freight goods from Brazil to Chile, where ultimately it is exported to China and other international markets. Now if the highway crossing through the TIPNIS area is eventually completed, it would shave off valuable time, making the journey a short four hours.
Brazil is also covering the majority of the tab constructing the road through Bolivia, at cost of $415 million. Brazil through its’ national development bank (BNDES) is financing a $332 million loan to Bolivia, while Bolivia is financing the remaining 20 percent. Also, to add more samba to the equation, a Brazilian construction firm, Construtora OAS, is building the road in Bolivia. This undoubtedly highlights the fact that Brazil is being very aggressive in its pursuit of being a Latin American leader, both economically and politically. Brazil is aware it needs to move goods more freely and efficiently. With the insatiable demand coming from China, Brazil is looking for the best returns on their commodities, which is tied to being able to transport its exports from the interior to the ports in a rapid manner. The infrastructure problem does not solely lie with Brazil. Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, etc., are in a concerted effort of modernizing their highways, developing more efficient infrastructure and having more dialogue with their neighboring countries in creating roads that are in unison: an authentic regional rail and road network, instead of each country acting on its own, which can possibly exacerbate the infrastructure chaos.
Economically speaking, creating a road from Brazil that cuts through Bolivia can be beneficial for Bolivia. The positive points are that it can increase commerce, increase business, and, most importantly for President Morales, increase revenues. The negatives are that if the road were to be finished, the Bolivian government would be violating the constitution, the Environment Act, and the Protected Areas Act. Moreover, in 2009 President Morales enacted a new constitution that included a new concept coined Buen Vivir (Good Life), yielding nature as a legal entity that can have rights. Buen Vivir is an idea that entitles Bolivians to live harmoniously with nature and the culture of life. President Morales would be turning his back on the new constitution and the concept of Buen Vivir by unilaterally partnering with Brazil in constructing the new transnational road, justifying it by pursuing new avenues to enable Bolivia to compete regionally and internationally in the new world economy.
There exists a caricature with President Morales cutting down a tree with a chainsaw, shouting “More development, more roads.” Interesting change of tune for the Bolivian President, who championed himself as being in tuned with the environment, a leader of indigenous rights, and a defender of democracy for all, not just for the elite and privileged. Now President Morales has to address the political fragmentation that now consumes Bolivia, hinting a new backlash that President Morales may not overcome.
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Highway to Political Fragmentation
September 12, 2011
He loves me. He loves me not. Bolivia’s indigenous groups must be heartbroken, and confused, on President’s Morales’ decision to pave a road through the TIPNIS region, a sacred land for indigenous groups where they are guaranteed constitutional rights to be able to govern the area without interference from the central government. Consequently, President Morales is being held accountable for sidestepping on his promises towards fighting ardently for indigenous social and political rights.
The irony behind this situation is President Evo Morales was elected to the presidency – the first indigenous president in Latin America – by championing indigenous rights against the “neoliberal” politicians and the capitalist elite of the Western region of Bolivia. When elected, President Morales initially delivered on his promises – to the detriment of the national economy – by engaging in conflict with the U.S. government, Brazilian gas companies, and European multinationals. The conditions has flip flopped, galvanized by President Morales himself extending his hand too far, where a tumultuous confrontation exists with his own political base.
The road causing such furor is being developed in the northeast corner of Bolivia to the border of Chile, where its ports are located. Yet, there is another component that is getting muted by the indigenous protests – Brazil. The main purpose of the road is to connect Brazil in a more efficient manner to the Chilean ports. Currently, it takes 16 hours to freight goods from Brazil to Chile, where ultimately it is exported to China and other international markets. Now if the highway crossing through the TIPNIS area is eventually completed, it would shave off valuable time, making the journey a short four hours.
Brazil is also covering the majority of the tab constructing the road through Bolivia, at cost of $415 million. Brazil through its’ national development bank (BNDES) is financing a $332 million loan to Bolivia, while Bolivia is financing the remaining 20 percent. Also, to add more samba to the equation, a Brazilian construction firm, Construtora OAS, is building the road in Bolivia. This undoubtedly highlights the fact that Brazil is being very aggressive in its pursuit of being a Latin American leader, both economically and politically. Brazil is aware it needs to move goods more freely and efficiently. With the insatiable demand coming from China, Brazil is looking for the best returns on their commodities, which is tied to being able to transport its exports from the interior to the ports in a rapid manner. The infrastructure problem does not solely lie with Brazil. Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Paraguay, etc., are in a concerted effort of modernizing their highways, developing more efficient infrastructure and having more dialogue with their neighboring countries in creating roads that are in unison: an authentic regional rail and road network, instead of each country acting on its own, which can possibly exacerbate the infrastructure chaos.
Economically speaking, creating a road from Brazil that cuts through Bolivia can be beneficial for Bolivia. The positive points are that it can increase commerce, increase business, and, most importantly for President Morales, increase revenues. The negatives are that if the road were to be finished, the Bolivian government would be violating the constitution, the Environment Act, and the Protected Areas Act. Moreover, in 2009 President Morales enacted a new constitution that included a new concept coined Buen Vivir (Good Life), yielding nature as a legal entity that can have rights. Buen Vivir is an idea that entitles Bolivians to live harmoniously with nature and the culture of life. President Morales would be turning his back on the new constitution and the concept of Buen Vivir by unilaterally partnering with Brazil in constructing the new transnational road, justifying it by pursuing new avenues to enable Bolivia to compete regionally and internationally in the new world economy.
There exists a caricature with President Morales cutting down a tree with a chainsaw, shouting “More development, more roads.” Interesting change of tune for the Bolivian President, who championed himself as being in tuned with the environment, a leader of indigenous rights, and a defender of democracy for all, not just for the elite and privileged. Now President Morales has to address the political fragmentation that now consumes Bolivia, hinting a new backlash that President Morales may not overcome.
