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Bolivia: The path to liberation

HISTORICAL SUMMARY

After Francisco Pizarro Potosí was founded in 1546, the territory of what is now Bolivia quickly became a mining center, especially silver. The Cerro Rico de Potosí, since the early VXII until its decline in recent decades of the eighteenth century the region was the main producer of silver in the world, and one of the richest and most populated. During this period, the flow of silver to Spain reached insane figures, without which there would have been possible European development. This was part of what Karl Marx called "primitive accumulation of capital" in the first volume of his work Das Kapital. Today, Potosi is the disinherited poor in Bolivia.



The August 6, 1825 the Bolivian achieved independence, honoring their liberator Simon Bolívar and his name (originally it was called Republic of Bolívar). A land ravaged by war, an unprecedented economic depression, a worthy educational level and about 10,000 abandoned mines. In this scenario Bolivia began its thorny path to liberation.
It was not until early 1870 when through large amounts of foreign investments the country could achieve a considerable technological development. At the same time, the discovery of large deposits of silver, guano and saltpeter that were favored by their international prices, were a strong magnet for foreign investment from neighboring countries. In 1873 the Nitrate and Railway Company of Antofagasta, the Chilean capital company and the British, won the Bolivian government permission to operate in the country, with the particularity of being free of rights for 15 years, according that under Bolivian law would have no validity as it is not ratified by Congress. In February 1878 the government of Hilarion Daza, following the economic depression that stalked the country ratified the agreement in 1873, but with the requirement of at least a tax of ten cents per quintal of nitrate exported.
early next year, to verify the refusal of the Society of Antofagasta Nitrate and Railroad to pay the tax, the Bolivian government canceled the contract and proceeded to finish with the intention of collecting back taxes.
February 14, the same day he was scheduled to auction, Antofagasta Chile is in where there were various events that initiate the "Pacific War" or "Saltpeter War," which also took Peru to Bolivia to be bound by a mutual defense treaty. After the war and as a result of the respective peace treaties, Bolivia recognized the Chilean sovereignty over the territory of Antofagasta and lost any possibility of sovereign outlet to the Pacific Ocean. As for the Peruvian territory, Chile got control over the Department of Tarapaca in Arica province.

Twenty years later, in the framework of the "rubber boom" of the Bolivian people suffered a new deprivation. The War of Acre (land rich in rubber and gold deposits) maintained against Brazil from 1899 to 1903, culminating in victory and annexation of this territory of the latter, estimated at 191,000 km ².
From the provisions of the Treaty of Petropolis, Brazil had to compensate the Bolivian government with £ 2,000,000.00 (what today would be U $ S 293,774,770.80.) And certain other obligations, it was recognized that Chaco Boreal belonged to the Bolivian people. But it was from the discovery of oil in 1927, when Standard Oil of New Jersey, to support Bolivia and Royal Duch Shell installed in Paraguay, decided to start the "War Chaco "where fighting over territory that forms the Chaco Boreal, whose length was about 455,000 km2 in the period considered horribly region rich in oil. Finally in 1938, with the help of mediation Argentine Foreign Minister Carlos Saavedra Lamas, could sign a peace agreement, where Paraguay retained about 75% of the disputed territory.

In 1952, after the Bolivian revolution led by workers' militias oriented Trotskyist from Pulacayo Theses, set up a situation of dual power. On the one hand, the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) and the other the National Revolutionary Movement (MNR) led by Víctor Paz Estenssoro, who governs only with the support of the COB. The revolution has contributed substantial measures such as universal suffrage (previously excluded the illiterate and women), nationalization of mining, the creation of the Central Obrera Boliviana and the formation of a new state company, COMIBOL. Those who have historically been the workhorses of the colony regained power in Bolivia. The army, until then an instrument of repression of the ruling class was replaced by militias of miners and peasants. But gradually the MNR became Washington's main ally, launching a crackdown. The new situation was clear: minimizing of labor organizations, centers of political repression, concentration camps. Visibly the Bolivian people had lost power.
History repeats itself. The masses of people give their support to politicians are self-styled revolutionary and betrayed. Democratic Action in Venezuela, MNR in Bolivia, PRI in Mexico, APRA in Peru.

Finally, in November 1964 a coup led by Vice President René Barrientos ends with the government of Paz Estenssoro. Barrientos, the same who gave the order to kill Ernesto "Che" Guevara in 1967, began a widespread crackdown assisted Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie through the so-called "squads of Death ", who undergo labor groups and all supporters of the left. It is estimated that between 1964 and 1968 were executed between 3,000 and 8,000 people. Then proceed to the reopening of the mining industry to foreign investment tin Barrientos suffers a strange helicopter crash in 1969 and took power a series of dictatorships shooting (Luis Adolfo Salinas Alfredo Ovando Candia and Juan José Torres). In 1971 Col. Hugo Banzer Suárez initiated under the guidelines of the Condor Plan a dictatorship that would last eight years. Suppresses the labor movement, suspended all civil rights and sent troops to the mining centers. The opening of the concentration camps, executions summary executions, disappearances, the slaughter of peasants, the 14 000 illegal arrests and exiles 6 000 making it one of the bloodiest dictatorships in the country. In 1979 continued the relentless slaughter Col. Alberto Natusha Busch, who takes in a coup d'etat. The Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) called a general strike in protest at the coup. Military tanks and helicopters suppress the masses, the city of La Paz is drowning in blood. The "Slaughter of All Saints' end with 203 injured and hundreds of deaths. Six days later would be the turn of General Luis Garcia Meza, where submission to the people takes place this time with the direct intervention of the military dictatorship in Argentina, who sent a group of "experts" on refined methods of torture, whose mission was to maximize the productivity of extermination.
In 1982 the founder of the MNR, Hernan Siles, took the chair on a fragile economic and political situation. As a reflection of what was happening in Latin America, Bolivia's external debt had increased strongly. The policies of "cheap credit" that had flooded the region during the deplorable dictatorial government efforts endowed the country with an appalling financial ruin. Subsequently, the hyperinflation that stalked the country (27,000%) and is determined to resign again elected Paz Estenssoro (1985-1989), who started cutting measures orthodox. As a method to keep inflation down the layoff of 23,000 workers in the tin, among other "political." After

mandate says that without major changes Jaime Paz Zamora (1989-1993) the neoliberalism of the 90 propounded in Bolivia by Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (1993-1997). The privatization process of public enterprises included the railway company (ENFE), petroleum (YPFB), telecommunications (ENTEL), electricity (NSDS) and the national airline (LAB).
The former dictator Hugo Banzer (1997-2001), today protegido políticamente en Washington Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada (2002-2003), Carlos Mesa (2003-2005) y Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé (2005-2006) continuaron manejando al pueblo boliviano a su antojo.

El 22 de enero de 2006 marca un punto de inflexión, el dirigente sindical Juan Evo Morales Ayma asume la presidencia de Bolivia, liderando un proceso de transformación comandado por el pueblo. Un pueblo que se cansó de tragar saliva y decidió iniciar una revolución.


INTRODUCCIÓN

Es indudable que un proceso de cambio en las actuales relaciones entre los distintos componentes de una sociedad dada no se hará sin tensiones ni contratiempos: los sectores favored by a certain state of affairs will resist change, it is expected that the opposite is also true.
wind of change in the region. Withdraws from the world the tide of neoliberalism, revealing a landscape of desolation and ruins: often no more raw materials remains societies begin the laborious process of reconstruction, or creating new ways of doing and thinking. New winds, but not everywhere the wind means the same: in some places is welcomed as it was needed to fan the embers of change in society, elsewhere the wind is a threat to the little fires that were able to achieve. The process led
Bolivia's President Evo Morales is a clear example of how they are affected in different ways, even diametrically opposed ways, the various components of society, but also, and equally or more important, it shows the rest of the inhabitants of the region when there is political will and support of the people can govern without permanently giving each press of the interests of the ruling classes, not to confuse "image" with "reality" and to clearly identify who governs without institutional measures and emergency overtime and, above all things, knowing and proving who is the enemy.

Then, a series of graphs illustrating various aspects of the process that is taking place from the Bolivian government taking MAS

Note: The graphics are made from data obtained from different sources, but can not speak of "absolutely unimpeachable sources" the coincidence in the trends evident in the data we can say that the numbers, at least they do not lie. MACROECONOMIC INDICATORS



Graphics strictly related to economic indicators, investment, production, trade, etc. have a paradoxical character especially contradictory and unacceptable to the propagandists, spokesmen and defenders of ideas and doctrines of the past that have been implemented and tested in reality and have not shown that his character more tricky to produce exactly the opposite of what they preached, but some precisely its sponsors and broadcasters will benefit greatly from the application of these ideas.

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Displaying graphs GDP growth, and seeing that for quasi-government or quasi-colonial dictatorships of Presidents instead of speaking English with an accent spoke Castilian Bolivia with an English accent, also growth could be the same, we should think about how the data are disaggregated these "growths", since it has been seen during the boom neoliberal macroeconomic indicators improved their countries while growing unemployment, illiteracy, impoverishment and hunger of their people. Think, then, what the real cost, that is, the social cost of each of these points of GDP growth during the government of, for example, Sanchez de Losada.
Figures relate to "illiteracy" and "investment in health can contribute with something.

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Exports rose a net since the beginning of this process, given how favorable are now the terms of trade for Bolivian products. The fate of the proceeds of exports is applied, for the most part, compliance with government targets aimed at ensuring the dignity and independence of the Bolivian people, such as we shall see later.

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Bolivia's external public debt did not increase during the current administration, but decreased, but it meant extra effort for the economy Bolivian or humiliating subjection to the conditions imposed by the discredited International Credit Organizations, true stewards of the misery of the poor in terms of increased wealth of the rich.

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The growth of public investment, as shown in the chart above, when compared to the chart below refer to the level of international reserves can noted that, despite contradicting the recipes so-called "orthodox", the level of reserves increased at almost the same proportion as the investment increases, which means that no expenditure is financed from existing reserves the MAS government that it would be "spending hand over fist in their populist projects," but legitimate resources generated by policies implemented by this government.

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historical levels of net international reserves in the country, surpassing by more than 600% to the average number of steps 1996 to 2005.

could be argued that during the 90 other countries in the region, Argentina, for instance, there were similar numbers in some indicators, but the growth of these were financed, among other sources, with the auction of public enterprises in state hands, with shameful concessions on non-renewable resources, etc. In Bolivia
governed by the MAS is quite the opposite: the government of Evo Morales took effect the transfer of a number of companies and assets that are considered as strategic by the state, to be administered according to their rightful beneficiaries without implying a "flight of investment" with a consequent fall in activity levels of a national economy dependent on foreign capital to maintain their level of functioning.

Nationalization of ENTELRecuperación control and sovereignty in the conduct of sector telecomunicaciones.Con the enactment of Supreme Decrees N ª 29 101 (April 23, 2007) and 29,544 (1st of May 2008), recovered 97% of the shares ENTEL SA The company again is the Bolivian state and its proceeds will benefit of all Bolivians and the neoliberal period bolivianas.En this company, a title be capitalized, was privatized and earnings were in the hands of the transnational Euro Telecom Italia - ETI, to the detriment of the country.

What is evident in the Bolivian state's relationship with major business groups in more items major economy. The phrase "partners, not bosses" far from being an empty campaign slogan meaningless is a reality. Because, as clearly demonstrated by the experiences of the past decade, and now Argentina with respect to transport category, the "State Away" or "Partner State Bobo" distracted and paying a State is an accomplice and participant in the emptying or disposition of the property of their rightful owners. Be taken that there is a necessary condition for an activity to be profitable in purely business terms, that is, to attract investment, which the state plays the role of neglected and little shrewd owner a well-known as real wealth and whose correct operation would demand skills and efforts are not willing to do, so what should happen every so often limited to collecting the meager results it deserves, if you're lucky, or "collaborate" with benefits and perks when the economic performance of the enterprise accounting are not allowed, to prevent workers, those eternal capital hostage, lose their jobs.
Here you can see that the state can become a member of private companies, but a partner capable and conscious of his power and the possibilities that this wealth of soil and the subsoil belongs to the people who live there and as such is inalienable and non-transferable, and that face that people be held accountable for its management.

New contracts to have "partners, not bosses"

With nationalization, YPFB is strengthened

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Previously, oil was exploited for the benefit of others. With the nationalization of YPFB is now the largest shareholder of the oil companies.



Obviously, any employer is interested in obtaining the most from your investment: the investment that all do the same and that full advantage is to drive him is the ideal expression of that equation. The Bolivian Government is aware that it lacks today, human resources, knowledge and technology for proper and efficient exploitation of natural resources and is willing to pay to whom they are provided, but is also perfectly aware of what was said before, that those resources belong to the people and not have to alienate the state's very low price and conditions of gift to get what they need to exploit them. Companies also know, and know that although not obtain the abnormal and abusive hiperganancias obtained in their dealings with corrupt governments and submissive preceding the current government, working decently and also do business fair.

Oil Nationalization more revenue for the Bolivian

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Earlier in 5 years, the Bolivian government has received $ 1.016 million Us now receive $ 2.627 million Us.

Mine Production (million dollars)

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SOCIAL INDICATORS

One criticism and accusations that opponents often do style governments now exist in Bolivia, is based on the easy manipulation that make politicians of ignorance and / or the needs of the people who vote, reaching to power by legal means - the vote - but illegitimate.
these allegations can be responded to two things: a.

- illiteracy and endemic diseases, cultural needs and health, unemployment, hunger, child malnutrition existed when accessing the MAS government. If this government can not stand, and in this there is general agreement and is supported by everyone, even his detractors and enemies, a continuity in policy with regard to those that preceded it, were the policies of his predecessors which generated such a situation of relative helplessness of the people against the machinations of the politicians, and they, the others, were the usufruct of this situation in more than one occasion, and reproduction of such a situation was an integral part of their policies.
b-test for this is that the current government has been doing since the first time, health campaigns, campaigns against hunger and malnutrition, campaigns against illiteracy, etc.. covering the whole country. And it should be noted that the government's national consciousness Bolivian highlights areas in which still openly hostile to the current government, hostile to the point of not allowing the passage of the President through such areas, receive the benefits of these campaigns. Although it would be understandable and even justifiable to some degree of negative discrimination in government policies towards these regions, they do not, contrary to what happens in our country.

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We integrated and multisectoral interventions in 32 municipalities of the 52 programs, representing an increase of 61%.


allegedly that "Fidel and Chavez sent his people and make ideological penetration." Suppose this is so: in a country whose people was subjected to exploitation and impoverishment by successive administrations rulers can not think of there own funds to undertake activities such as these, either, in a system based on profit and free enterprise , will meet investors in such campaigns do not mean immediate and appropriate economic return. Suppose a medical laboratory in some distant country contribution to the health issue, a foundation or some other big northern country contribution to education issue would not be much higher, in view of cases of which are known, the return on investment that such entities intend that any cost that the "ideological penetration" could bring the country?. And what "ideological penetration" could talk when it comes to countries with more political affinities, despite the existing shades, what differences?

Health Care (Click on image to enlarge)

Increased health care to the population of 1.3 million people (2005) to 15.8 million people ( 2007). The projection for 2008 is 17 million.

Literacy Program "Yes, I can"
Bolivia, on the verge of being declared a territory free of illiteracy
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literacy in Bolivia remains the only 1.7 of the inhabitants to be a country free of illiteracy.

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Operation Miracle - Everyone can see
In Bolivia 262,784 surgeries have been free to date.

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have been established 18 new ophthalmologists and surgical centers with free health care in the 9 departments.

Elsewhere in the region, Argentina is the typical case, during the decade of 90's most of the growing macroeconomic indicators, as can be seen that happening in the present Government in Bolivia, but unlike what happens in this case, the neoliberal Argentina to remember that it was taken as an "example" by senior management of the IMF to show the "success" of its policies, so did unemployment and did a fast pace. This unemployment came from several sources: not only those who were dismissed from their jobs, and who failed to re-enter a job market increasingly less demanding, but also came in large numbers and the companies that stopped working. The policy of "voluntary retirement" in the privatized enterprises and in certain branches of government, helped to increase these figures. The following charts
can be seen as indices referring to the occupied population follows the curve of variation of other macroeconomic indicators.
Unemployment

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CONCLUSIONS We believe that without a doubt, despite the obstacles, the immense difficulties that from without and from within are presented to the Bolivian government and people, these graphs are indicative of a reality which is that when the government is a real willingness to carry out the necessary changes for the welfare of the people when there is a firm policy towards the achievement of clear and specific goals when it has the support of the people in pursuit of these goals, a people that clearly informs you of what those goals and is not distracted and fooled by generic and ambiguous proposals that change according to the occasion or the speaker, when you know for whom, with whom and against whom it governs, and not a prisoner and an accomplice in a dark unholy alliance policy, when that happens you can move from reform and real change.

On the other hand, it is found that the so-called "minimum demands for investment" in the mouth of the beneficiaries of neoliberal policies and their propagandists call themselves "clear rules", "legal certainty", "predictability" etc. are nothing more than the fallacy that attempts to hide the fact that inaction or complicity of the drivers of the excesses committed against the assets of people in the name of free enterprise, progress and the natural development of the markets.

Opposition to the Government led by President Evo Morales is a coup, savage, racist, absolute, mean and brutal. The recent recall referendum was the mechanism by which the government channeled within a political institutional expressions of this opposition, which were abundant press coverage addicted and external stakeholders. Far from the Government was presented as a victim of a situation in which alliance was facing a spurious and illegitimate powers that were higher by resources and capabilities, the government lost the initiative because it was ranked as the protagonist and main actor of the situation obtaining in the referendum a victory that is worth as a measure of the capabilities and legitimacy of the opposition that the government itself, which to the objective observer, was never in doubt.
Winds of change blowing in the region, but the tide which covered us with shame and ignominy of retreat is not over yet in many places, because even if they change people, if not change the actions and minds, nothing changes.