Bolivia has witnessed a dramatic episode in its long history of political instability, as reports confirm a coup d’état has ousted President Evo Morales. This latest upheaval underscores Bolivia’s complex constitutional journey and a pattern of power struggles that have haunted the nation since its independence in 1825.
The crisis commenced with the presidential election on October 20, where Morales sought an unprecedented fourth term, a proposition that had already sparked controversy and led to mass protests demanding his resignation. As tensions escalated, the military’s chief of staff suggested Morales step down, which was followed by police firing at demonstrators, arrests of former political figures, and restrictions on the media and parliamentarians.
In a scene all too familiar to Bolivia’s tumultuous past, a senator declared herself the interim president with military support. Jeanine Áñez’s ascension was marked by smiles and ceremony, despite her denial of a coup, stating, “A coup d’état is when there are soldiers in the street,” disregarding soldiers patrolling the streets of La Paz at that moment.
Bolivia’s history is punctuated with nearly 200 coups since it gained independence and named itself after Simón Bolívar. Bolívar himself penned the 1826 Constitution, introducing a lifetime presidency amidst distrust of the elite’s potential for internal conflict. However, this did not prevent the rise of military caudillos, the quasi-military leaders who seized and wielded power intermittently.
The political landscape was further molded by the 1952 National Revolution, a distinctive uprising where armed worker militias and persuasive middle-aged market women played crucial roles in overthrowing the military junta. The revolution’s victory was a unique instance where a radical political movement garnered popular support and legitimacy by having won the preceding election.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Bolivian constitution has been rewritten multiple times, reflecting ongoing power struggles. From the 1880 Constitution that fostered a functioning constitutional order to the 1952 Bolivian revolution’s push for agrarian reforms and nationalization of mines, Bolivia’s political framework has been in constant evolution.
The most recent 2009 Constitution, ushered in under Evo Morales, aimed to address social inequalities, particularly for indigenous populations. It introduced recall provisions for elected officials, nationalization of key industries, and decentralized autonomy, emphasizing Bolivia’s ethnic diversity.
But the seeds of the current political crisis were sown as early as 2016, when Morales sought a referendum to allow for a third term, contravening the constitutional term limit.
Relevant articles:
– Constitutional history of Bolivia, ConstitutionNet
– Bolivia’s coup, Le Monde diplomatique – English
– The National Revolution of 1952 in Bolivia, San Jose State University