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Marzo 15, 2005
No Other Way Out - New Elections This Year
Bolivia faces another political crisis as a way to avoid direct confrontation. Bolivia has been crippled by blockades in virtually all parts of the country. President Carlos Mesa, who has repeatedly vowed not to use force, has asked Congress to pass a law authorizing Presidential elections in August 2005. This would be two full years before his term is to end.
Approximately 1,500 trucks are currently blocking the highway between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Products for the urban population and for export have not been able to pass this stretch of highway. Even two people have died from yellow fever in the Tropics of Cochabamba because they were not able to receive adequate medical care.
Mesa is asking for general elections for President, Vice-President, Senators and Deputies (diputados). At the same time, the newly elected members of Congress would be designated as "constituents" who will help draft Bolivia's new Constitution.
Addition: Text of Mesa's speech
Posted by eduardo at Marzo 15, 2005 11:26 PM