There was a definite aroma of the coca leaf in the air, which is a good thing in my view. I love the distinct smell of that controversial crop. People were bussed in from all across the Department, especially the Chapare Region, where MAS will most likely sweep the upcoming municipal elections.
With cookie-cutter flags of the whipala (the multi-colored rainbow flag representing all the indigenous groups) and the blue and black MAS party flags, those in attendance seemed to be obligated to be there. Many sat idly on the steps surrounding the plaza 14 de Septiembre trying to avoid the mid-afternoon heat and taking advantage of the dozens of food and drink vendors who had converged on the area to sell to the crowd.
The only time the MAS militantes “raised the roof” was when the PA Announcer would ask: “Is Sacaba in the house?” (or something like that) and those from that nearby city would cheer. The out-of-tune brass band played the Bolivian national anthem and the Cochabamba song (which is not a Cumbia Villera, by the way).
Gathering in the plaza principal in the middle of Cochabamba, MAS announced their candidates for all the municipalities of the Department of Cochabamba. I went down to see what all the hubbub was about, and to hear my candidate Gonzalo Lema speak.
Normally, I don’t consider myself a supporter of the MAS party because of certain tactics and a less-than democratic approach to their new role in Bolivian politics. However, I like Lema, because of what I had heard during his many interviews. He also appeals to the middle “mestizo” class, which has not been made to feel very welcome in that party. And I think MAS deserves a shot of governing, instead of constantly being in opposition without being able to prove their worth.
One example of the less-than democratic methods being displayed when those on stage were introduced, Evo Morales, the head of MAS, was presented as the “Candidate for President for the Elections of 2007”.
It is nice to know that there is no room for another figure to emerge from MAS to try and fight for their beliefs and convictions. Evo is such a polarizing figure in the country, and the mere mention of his name or presence conjures up the memories of blockades and marches, something that most Bolivians have grown weary of. If Evo was truly committed to democracy and letting the platform of MAS try to make a splash on the national scene, then he should be open to step aside and let someone who can appeal to the entire country (yet shares his beliefs) take the helm for the Presidency.
They are already saying that no internal elections will take place, nor will there be discussion to choose where the party is going. Evo = MAS and MAS = Evo, which is just how the traditional political parties operate.
Lema is currently in a three-way tie in the Mayor polls in Cochabamba.
Comments (2)
Ha, ha! I never thought to translate “¿esta Sacaba presente?” into “is Sacaba in the house?”. Brilliant. And it’s sad to hear that MAS apparently didn’t learn the “lessons of October” as they keep demanding the other parties learn them (e.g. decentralized internal leadership).
I read that MAS is pro Fidel Castro. Amnesty International reports that Fidel currently has 600 non-violent prisoners of conscience in his jails.
Also Internet use is reserved only for Communist party members, photocopier ownership is outlawed, and owning the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is illegal. Strikes are outlawed and so are independent unions! There are many other aspects to the repression and there is a shortage of food.