- Law Library Home
- About the Law Library
- Find Legal Resources
- Research Help
- Research & Educational Opportunities
- News & Events
- Visiting the Law Library
- Contact Us
Related Resources at the Library
The Global Legal Monitor is an online publication from the Law Library of Congress covering legal news and developments worldwide. It is updated frequently and draws on information from the Global Legal Information Network, official national legal publications, and reliable press sources. You can search previous news by searching the archive.
Bolivia: National Independence - Declaration of Regional Autonomy
To link to this article, copy this persistent link:
http://www.loc.gov/lawweb/servlet/lloc_news?disp3_100_text
(Dec. 02, 2007) Bolivia is now at a critical junction. Four departments (Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, and Pando) rich in oil, soy and cattle declared autonomy on December 15, 2007, while three others (La Paz, the "de facto" capital of the country, Potosi and Oruro, with heavy indigenous population) are in complete support of the government of President Evo Morales. The conflict and declaration of territorial division was sparked by the approval of a new constitution by a constituent assembly of supporters of the government meeting in emergency.
The new constitution is aimed at establishing a 'new Bolivia' by empowering and giving voice to the Quechua, Aymara, and other indigenous peoples who make up the majority of the population in Bolivia, and was promised by Mr. Morales in his campaign and election two years ago. It will also bring forth radical land reform, limiting the size of land ownership. It is precisely this reform that provoked the strong reaction and rejection by the departments which declared the autonomy.
Both sides claim that they have enough supporters to fight for their causes as shown by large demonstrations held in Santa Cruz, in favor of autonomy, and in La Paz, in support of the government of Mr. Morales.
The government promises that the indigenous population will never be ignored again and that it will not allow the division of the country by anyone; but at the same time, it also promises that it is open to dialogue. The autonomy legislation and the proposed constitution are subject to a referendum that will take place early in 2008. (Richard Lapper, Bolivia Set on Collision Course over Autonomy, FINANCIAL TIMES, Dec. 17, 2007, at 6.)
- Author: Dario Ferreira
- Topic: National Independence More on this topic
- Jurisdiction: Bolivia More about this jurisdiction
Search Legal News Archives |
RSS |
Last updated: 12/02/2007