Septiembre 06, 2004
Bolivia News and Notes
Tuto Leaves ADN
In an expected move, ex-President Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga formally resigned as head of the ADN (Accion Nacional Democratica) party. Citing a desire to “participate in the construction of a national project, outside of the party system, that strives to unite forces in order to strengthen Bolivia in the 21st century,” and in other words, Quiroga is looking for a way to operate in a political society that doesn’t look favorably upon political parties. Quiroga left the party which he was Hugo Banzer’s Vice-President. After assuming office when Banzer resigned, Tuto was ineligible to run for President in 2002. This moves leaves ADN practically on its last legs.
MAS Announces Protests
The Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS), headed by Evo Morales., has announced a series of protests on September 24th and October 17th. The major issue is the nationalization of all hydrocarbons, which Morales claims that the Referendum results call for an annulment of all existing contracts with the oil companies. This very issue is still being discussed in Congress, where Mesa has accepted a compromise. Instead of the “Ley Corta” offered and rejected by Congress, the President pledged to work with the Congress and to include parts of Congress’ Law.
Killer is Older Brother’s Friend
The murderer of a 9-year-old girl in La Paz was apprehended after the little girl’s friend, who was hiding and witnessed the killing, was able to positively identify the suspect. Nineteen-year-old Benjamin Quispe, a classmate of the victim’s older brother, supposedly went to visit the brother to ask him advice on how to make money. When it was discovered that the two girls were home alone, Quispe tried to take advantage in order to rob household items. As he attempted to take a computer, he was confronted by the younger sister. When panic set in, Quispe stabbed the girl repeatedly.
Quispe confessed to the killing, claiming that he was desperate for money in order to buy a plane ticket to the United States. When in that country, he would be able to sell a kidney for $6,000. That money would go towards his mother’s medical expenses.
At Least It was not a Goleada
It only took 48 seconds for Ronaldo to score off of a corner kick in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier game held in Sao Paulo. Heading into halftime, Bolivia was severely outskilled and outmatched all of the first half. Defensive lapses and silly fouls allowed Brasil to score on a penalty kick and two corner kicks. After two key substitutions, a different Bolivia team emerged from the locker room. Looking more confident, Bolivia scored an early second half goal where the match remained 3-1. In the most optimistic sense, at least Bolivia did not embarrassingly as in previous trips to Brasil, where it lost 0-5 and 0-6. Up next are two crucial home matches against Peru and Uruguay in mid-October.
Posted by eduardo at Septiembre 6, 2004 02:42 PM
Comments
Fancy, fancy.
Looks very good! Congrats.
Posted by: MB at Septiembre 6, 2004 04:26 PM