2008 Bolivian political crisis

Political crisis between departments demanding autonomy and national government 2008 Bolivian political crisis Ya somos autónomos.jpg 300px Protesters supporting the autonomy of Santa Cruz. Autonomy movements also took place in other Eastern Bolivian departments. August 2008 – October 2008 Santa Cruz Department and other eastern Bolivian ones Referendum held, crisis ends Bolivia Bolivia Flag of Bolivia (militar).svg Armed Forces of Bolivia Banner of the Qulla Suyu (1979).svg Morales supporters Bolivia Media Luna Flag of Santa Cruz.svg Santa Cruz Flag of Pando.svg Pando Flag of Beni.svg Beni Flag of Tarija.svg Tarija Bolivia Evo Morales Flag of Santa Cruz.svg Rubén Costas The 2008 Bolivian political crisis saw protests against President Evo Morales and calls for greater autonomy for the country's eastern departments. Demonstrators escalated the protests by seizing natural gas infrastructure and government buildings. In response, supporters of the national government and its reform of the constitution, mobilized across these regions. Violence between supporters of Morales and opponents, which reached its peak in the Porvenir massacre on September 11, resulted in at least 15 deaths.Bjork-James Carwil 2019 Race and the Right to Speak for the City: Political Violence in Bolivia’s 2006–2009 Stalemate UAS: Urban Anthropology and Studies of Cultural Systems and World Economic Development 48 3-4 273 Protests begin On August 19, the eastern departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija, and ChuquisacaMay 2015 called strikes and protests in opposition to central government plans to divert part of the national direct tax on hydrocarbons towards its Renta Dignidad pension plan. Brief clashes occurred in the Santa Cruz de la Sierra, capital of Santa Cruz, between police and armed youths enforcing the strike.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/08/20/america/LA-Bolivia-Opposition-Strike.php Bolivian opposition protests in regional capitals International Herald Tribune 2008-08-20 2008-09-12 In Tarija protesters seized and occupied government buildings.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7570279.stm Violence mars Bolivian protests BBC News 2008-08-19 2008-09-12 In response to the unrest Morales ordered the Bolivian Army to protect oil and gas infrastructure in the five departments.August 2021 The governors of the departments warned on September 3, 2008, that if the government didn't change its course that the protests could lead to a cut-off of natural gas exports to Argentina and Brazil. They also threatened setting up roadblocks in the five departments in addition to road blocks set up on roads leading to Argentina and Paraguay.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jn8M8QMEIfU7kJhvuqe7KNMwwGiQ https://web.archive.org/web/20080911030639/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jn8M8QMEIfU7kJhvuqe7KNMwwGiQ dead 2008-09-11 Protests could cut Bolivian gas exports, opposition warns Agence France-Presse 2008-09-03 2008-09-12 The governors also demanded government troops withdraw from Trinidad, the capital of Beni department, following clashes between MPs and protesters trying to seize facilities of the National Tax Service in the city.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/04/content_9771909.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080909014917/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/04/content_9771909.htm dead September 9, 2008 Bolivia's opposition demands gov't troops withdraw from N province Xinhua 2008-09-04 2008-09-12 President Morales accused the governors of launching a "civil coup" against his government.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gA3ynFlKZqoe_3rEzOtwZS6US2MQ Bolivian opposition organizing "civil coup": president Agence France-Presse 2008-09-06 2008-09-12 https://web.archive.org/web/20090109171425/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gA3ynFlKZqoe_3rEzOtwZS6US2MQ 2009-01-09 dead Violence escalates Porvenir Massacre Protesters caused the explosion of a natural gas pipeline on September 10, 2008, according to the head of Bolivia's state energy company. He called the attack a "terrorist attack" and said it result in 10% cut in exports to Brazil.La Capital http://www.lacapital.com.ar/contenidos/2008/09/11/noticia_5211.html Cortan el envío de gas a Argentina y restablecen el suministro a Brasil 11 September 2008 1 September 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110531162823/http://www.lacapital.com.ar/contenidos/2008/09/11/noticia_5211.html 31 May 2011 dead President Morales sent additional troops to the region following the attack.http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jiysmljPQPekJ6c6KH6J8S6DAtEw Bolivian gas line explodes; anti-government protesters blamed The Canadian Press 2008-09-10 2008-09-12November 2012 Legobot The next day clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of the government in the northeastern town of Cobija, capital of Pando department, resulting in 20 deaths.http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/11/bolivia.clashes/ Deadly clashes strike Bolivia's east CNN 2008-09-11 2008-09-12Comision de UNASUR para el Esclarecimiento de los Hechos de Pando - UNASUR, November 2008 Morales said his government would be patient with the unrest but warned that "patience has its limits, really." A spokesman for Morales said the unrest was opening the way to "a sort of civil war."http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcXcuza1g7xtBo4KY8V_pk2lK63w https://web.archive.org/web/20080913232240/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hcXcuza1g7xtBo4KY8V_pk2lK63w dead 2008-09-13 Fresh violence in Bolivia stokes civil war fears Agence France-Presse 2008-09-11 2008-09-12 The leader of the national opposition, Jorge Quiroga, accused the central government of organizing militias to retake the city of Cobija. Central government work had also ceased while American Airlines was suspending flights to the airport. Peasant supporters of Morales were also threatening to encircle Santa Cruz. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez warned that if Morales was overthrown or killed Venezuela would give a "green light" to conduct military operations in Bolivia.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/12/content_9941872.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080915030749/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/12/content_9941872.htm dead September 15, 2008 Chavez warns of military action to quell Bolivia unrest Xinhua 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Bolivia's army said it rejected "external intervention of any nature" in response to Chávez. Morales ruled out the use of force against protesters, calling for talks with opposition leaders.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7bOpDw4wSU8ti9c_yYCqlBN79lw https://web.archive.org/web/20110520170303/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7bOpDw4wSU8ti9c_yYCqlBN79lw dead 2011-05-20 Morales calls for talks, rules out armed clampdown on protesters Agence France-Presse 2008-09-13 2008-09-14 The Governor of Tarija department, Mario Cossío, went to La Paz on September 12, 2008, to hold negotiations representing three other opposition governors who had rejected talks with the central government. Morales said he was open to dialogue not only with the governors but with mayors and different social sectors.http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1243884820080912 https://web.archive.org/web/20080914224757/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1243884820080912 dead September 14, 2008 Bolivia violence abates, president to talk to rival Reuters Garcia Eduardo 2008-09-12 2008-09-14 Before the meeting Mario Cossio called for dialogue saying "The first task is to pacify the country, and we hope to agree with President Morales on that. Our presence has to do with that clear will to lay the foundations and hopefully launch a process of dialogue that ends in a great agreement for national reconciliation."http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/americas/news/article_1430498.php/State_of_siege_more_violence_in_Bolivian_province_Pando__Roundup__ State of siege, more violence in Bolivian province Pando Monsters and Critics 2008-09-13 2008-09-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20110520060359/http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/americas/news/article_1430498.php/State_of_siege_more_violence_in_Bolivian_province_Pando__Roundup__ 2011-05-20 dead Vice President Álvaro García declared a day of national mourning for 20 people killed in Pando most of whom were pro-Morales farmers shot dead by people the government claims were associated with the opposition.http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1242374920080912 https://web.archive.org/web/20080915060655/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1242374920080912 dead September 15, 2008 Bolivia split in two by protests; deaths mourned Reuters Garcia Eduardo 2008-09-12 2008-09-14 Pando state of emergency Bolivian authorities declared a state of emergency in Pando which began at midnight on September 12, 2008. During the state of emergency, constitutional guarantees are suspended, private vehicles without authorization are banned from the streets, groups are not allowed to meet; bars, restaurants and discos must close at midnight, and residents are prohibited from carrying firearms.http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/12/bolivia.stateofseige/ Bolivian 'state of siege' declared CNN 2008-09-13 2008-09-14 Morales said martial law was not needed anywhere else in the country.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7614784.stm Move to tackle Bolivian turmoil BBC News 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Following the declaration of a state of emergency, Bolivian troops took control of the airport in Pando's capital, Cobija, and prepared to retake the city. Morales accused the governor of Pando of orchestrating "a massacre" of farmers supporting Morales. Pando Governor Leopoldo Fernández rejected the accusation, saying "They've accused me of using hit men, when everyone knows those socialist peasants, those fake peasants, were armed." In a speech in Cochabamba, Morales condemned the opposition governors, saying they were "conspiring against us with a fascist, racist coup," and said they were "the enemies of all Bolivians." While promising to adopt a constitution opposed by the governors Morales said Bolivia's "democratic revolution" had to be seen through saying "We have always cried 'fatherland or death'. If we don't emerge victorious, we have to die for the country and the Bolivian people."http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1337441820080914 https://archive.today/20120716182536/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1337441820080914 dead July 16, 2012 Bolivia's Morales defiant after unrest Reuters 2008-09-14 2008-09-14http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gcNx45ZcyMe9b7C-1HsagLoYdgDQ https://web.archive.org/web/20110520170739/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gcNx45ZcyMe9b7C-1HsagLoYdgDQ dead 2011-05-20 Socialist reforms or 'death', Bolivian president says Agence France-Presse 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Morales also said he would not hesitate to extend the state of emergency to other opposition-controlled departments.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7615485.stm Bolivia crisis death toll rises BBC News 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Rubén Costas, the governor of Santa Cruz, belittled the chances of a breakthrough in talks adding that "if there is just one more death or person wounded, any possibility of dialogue will be broken."http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/9893714.asp?scr=1 Bolivian president, foes dig in as unrest worsens Hurriyet 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Opposition protest leader and pro-autonomy businessman Branko Marinkovic announced on September 14, 2008, that the demonstrators he led would be removing their road blocks as "a sign of good will" to allow dialogue to prosper and calling on the government to end "repression and genocide in the department of Pando." Troops who had landed at Cobija also began patrolling the streets before dawn and began uncovering more dead bodies from the September 11 clash in Pando between Morales supporters and opposition protesters. Alfredo Rada, government minister for Pando, referring to casualty figures, said "We are nearing the 30 mark." An aide to the opposition governor in Pando denied the army was in control of the departmental capital.https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1440971820080914 Bolivia government, rivals seek way out of crisis Reuters 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Simon Gardner Troops were also hunting for Pando governor Fernández with orders to arrest him.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ghrnWQ0s-Xd85cmxAu_lr-WtRb8w https://web.archive.org/web/20110520170837/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ghrnWQ0s-Xd85cmxAu_lr-WtRb8w dead 2011-05-20 US ambassador warns of 'serious consequences' for Bolivia Agence France-Presse 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 A spokesman for Morales said blockades remained on the highway and said "an armed group" had set fire to the town hall in Filadelfia, a municipality near Cobija.Vicente L. Panetta 2008-09-14 Morales struggles to control Bolivia The Guardian London https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/7797384 2008-09-14 October 2010 H3llBot The Pando government spokesman said the citizens of Cobija did not want the Army to enter the city, and that they were not going to follow martial law.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/15/content_10002990.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20121021161342/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/15/content_10002990.htm dead October 21, 2012 Gov't army takes control in northern Bolivian region after clashes Xinhua 2008-09-15 2008-09-15 Bolivia's army arrested as many as 10 people for alleged involvement in the deadly clashes.http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/09/15/news/OUKWD-UK-BOLIVIA-PANDO.php Military crackdown hushes rebellious Bolivian city International Herald Tribune Aquino Marco 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Leopoldo Fernández was also taken into custody by the armed forces on September 16, to be flown to La Paz to face accusations that he hired hitmen to fire on pro-government supporters. He was charged with committing genocide.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/17/content_10050152.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080920034844/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/17/content_10050152.htm dead September 20, 2008 Bolivia arrests opposition governor on charge of genocide Xinhua 2008-09-17 2008-09-17 The U.S. began evacuating Peace Corps volunteers from Bolivia and organized at least two evacuation flights in response.https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-09-16-bolivia_N.htm Bolivian gov. arrested; Peace Corps evacuates USA Today 2008-09-16 2008-09-16https://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/7802909 US organizing evacuation flights from Bolivia The Guardian 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 London September 2010 RjwilmsiBot In spite of the arrest, opposition governors agreed to talks, conditioned on anti-Morales protesters ending occupations of government buildings. Matters up for discussion include the opposition drive for more autonomy for their provinces and a larger share of state energy revenue. Talks were expected to begin on Thursday.November 2013 The army also professed its support for Morales.https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1551848020080917?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0 Bolivia leaders agree roadmap to end conflict Reuters 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 Morales appointed Navy Rear Admiral Landelino Bandeiras as the replacement for the governor of Pando September 20, 2008.http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20080920-1136-lt-bolivia-crisis.html Bolivia leader names admiral to replace governor The San Diego Union-Tribune 2008-09-20 2008-09-22 Difficulties were reported in the peace talks by presidential spokesman Ivan Canelas, who said the position of the opposition governors could hinder peace talks and condemned the "lack of political will of these authorities to backup the efforts being made by the central government to preserve peace and national unity."http://www.plenglish.com/article.asp?ID=208E474B-6578-45B4-8190-F99CFCE1FC79)&language=EN Bolivia: Government Questions Prefects Prensa Latina 2008-09-21 2008-09-22September 2024 Supporters of Morales have threatened to storm the city of Santa Cruz if the talks should fail.http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/09/23/bolivia.talks/ Talks at an impasse in Bolivian crisis CNN 2008-09-23 2008-09-26 On September 25, 2008, Morales rejected autonomy proposals by the Eastern provinces, putting the talks on hold.http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90852/6506925.html Bolivia's Morales rejects opposition autonomy proposal, talks on hold - People's Daily Online On October 20, 2008, Morales and the opposition agreed to hold the referendum on January 25, 2009, and early elections in December 2009; Morales in turn promised he would not run again in 2014 after his likely reelection in 2009, despite being allowed to do so under the new constitution.http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gB5oDjsDucD02k7d0na6LgLzUYMg AFP: Bolivia, opposition agree on referendum, Morales term limit 2009-01-26 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090215203323/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gB5oDjsDucD02k7d0na6LgLzUYMg 2009-02-15 Diplomatic response Accusing the United States of supporting the opposition governors and attempting to overthrow his government, Morales declared the United States Ambassador to Bolivia Philip Goldberg persona non grata, and ordered him to leave the country. The U.S. responded by expelling Bolivia's ambassador in Washington. U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack expressed regret at the diplomatic fallout saying it will "prejudice the interests of both countries, undermine the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and will have serious regional implications." President Morales said he does not want to break diplomatic ties with the U.S. but said the actions of the ambassador were "very serious", claiming he met with provincial leaders and instigated the unrest.October 2020 Before his departure the American ambassador warned Bolivia that it would face "serious consequences" and had "not correctly evaluated" the retaliation from Washington. Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez ordered the U.S. ambassador in Caracas Patrick Duddy to also leave saying it was in part out of solidarity with Bolivia. Chávez also said he was recalling Venezuela's ambassador to the U.S. until a new government takes office. Chávez accused the United States of being involved in the unrest saying "The U.S. is behind the plan against Bolivia, behind the terrorism."https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=alMPV0n0P7tg&refer=latin_america Chavez Expels U.S. Envoy to Show Support for Bolivia Bloomberg 2008-09-11 2008-09-12 State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the expulsions by Bolivia and Venezuela reflect "the weakness and desperation of these leaders as they face internal challenges." Morales responded that the act was "not of weakness, but of dignity," and was about freeing Bolivia from "the American Empire."http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwbbKRXw0hgcDAZAuMtwBBAb9_UQ https://web.archive.org/web/20090126080622/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iwbbKRXw0hgcDAZAuMtwBBAb9_UQ dead 2009-01-26 US envoy expelled in name of 'people's struggle': Bolivian leader Agence France-Presse 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Other responses National governments : The Foreign Ministry said Brazil's government was taking the necessary measures to guarantee gas supplies in the country. It also expressed "grave concern" at the unrest in Bolivia deploring the outbreak of violence and attacks on state institutions and public order.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7611705.stm Chavez acts over US-Bolivia row BBC News 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 Aides to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said high-ranking members of his government and Argentina's were ready to try to negotiate a deal between Morales and his opponents.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/12/america/LA-Bolivia-US-Venezuela.php Bolivian political clashes spark diplomatic crisis International Herald Tribune 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 : President Rafael Correa said both Bolivia and Venezuela had sufficient reason to expel the U.S. ambassadors saying Ecuador would expel someone if they interfered in his country's internal affairs.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/13/content_9961571.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080915210213/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/13/content_9961571.htm dead September 15, 2008 Ecuador, Honduras support Bolivia, Venezuela in expulsion of U.S. envoys Xinhua 2008-09-13 2008-09-14 : President Manuel Zelaya put off a ceremony at which the U.S. ambassador would present a letter with his diplomatic credentials "in solidarity with Bolivian President Evo Morales."http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1240144420080912 https://web.archive.org/web/20080914224752/http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKN1240144420080912 dead September 14, 2008 Honduras in diplomatic snub to U.S. over Bolivia Reuters 2008-09-12 2008-09-14 A few days later he told the envoy to present his credentials as ambassador later in the week.https://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1641598220080916 Honduras to end diplomatic snub of U.S. over Bolivia Reuters 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 : President Daniel Ortega announced his support for Bolivia's expulsion of the U.S. ambassador. He later rejected an invitation to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush out of "solidarity" with Morales.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/14/america/LA-Nicaragua-US.php Nicaragua's Ortega says no meeting with Bush International Herald Tribune 2008-09-14 2008-09-14 Intergovernmental organizations border|20px Secretary General of the Andean Community of Nations Freddy Ehlers condemned the violence in Bolivia and called for dialogue between the government and opposition.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/12/content_9938603.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20121021150335/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/12/content_9938603.htm dead October 21, 2012 CAN condemns violence in Bolivia unrest, calls for dialogue Xinhua 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 : In a statement the EU urged "all parties to take steps to rapidly establish" talks to stop the situation getting worse, offered to mediate between opposing parties, and expressed regret over attacks on aid projects.http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/09/12/europe/EU-EU-Bolivia.php EU appeals to Bolivian leaders to defuse tensions International Herald Tribune 2008-09-12 2008-09-14 UN: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon "rejects the use of violence as a means to advance political ends and joins others, including the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza, and Bolivia's Conference of Catholic Bishops, in calling for dialogue, urgently, to seek consensus on the pressing issues affecting the Bolivian people," according to a statement issued by the UN.http://www.topnews.in/ban-urges-bolivians-restraint-violence-flares-266757 Ban urges Bolivians to restraint as violence flares Top News 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 UNASUR Chile President of Chile and President pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations Michelle Bachelet summoned an emergency meeting of heads of state in Santiago de Chile to analyze the political situation in Bolivia, scheduled for Monday September 15. That meeting ended with backing for the Bolivian leader.http://www.emol.com/noticias/nacional/detalle/detallenoticias.asp?idnoticia=321710 Bachelet convoca reunión de emergencia de UNASUR por crisis en Bolivia El Mercurio 2008-09-12 2008-09-12http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7617873.stm Neighbours back Bolivian leader BBC 2008-09-12 2008-09-12 On September 24, 2008, Unasur agreed to send a special commission to investigate the violence in Pando.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/25/content_10108421.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20080928091415/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/25/content_10108421.htm dead September 28, 2008 Unasur to probe into Bolivian violent conflict Xinhua 2008-09-25 2008-09-26 See also Bolivian gas conflict, 2003–2006 social conflict stemming from issues around gas taxation and privatization Bolivian autonomy referendums, 2008 2019 Bolivian protests 2019 Bolivian political crisis References 2 Category:Protests in Bolivia Unrest In Bolivia, 2008 Unrest In Bolivia, 2008 Category:Government crises Category:Political history of Bolivia Category:2008 protests