Mayo 27, 2005
Who is Financing the Marches?
Blah blah blah Chavez, blah blah Castro, blah blah Marxist red-bellied Communists! Language and labels like this cannot be constructive when talking about the current situation in Bolivia. Too much is being made of Hugo Chavez in regards to the protests and marches in Bolivia. As Boz writes, Chavez is not Darth Sidious. And most likely, Chavez has very little to do with the mobilizations from El Alto and the COB.
While it is true that Chavez and Evo Morales, head of the MAS party, are close chums, there still has not been any published evidence that Chavez is financing mobilizations. Evo has admitted that Chavez has paid for educational trainings and some infrastructure programs, but any link to bankrolling entire city-wide shutdowns still is not there.
As most would recognize, Evo does not equal every single social movement and campesino group. At times, Evo has been called a traitor by these groups who think he has gone soft and only rolls with the political elite.
Of course, someone is paying for the per diems, transport costs and other everyday items needed to fuel a week-long of protests. However, I’m not convinced that it is Chavez in the case of FEJUVE or COB.
Today, Government Minister Saul Lara said that there is documentation that “external elements” have been financing these mobilizations. He pointed to a “political organization” and a telecommunications company, Cotel (the cooperative telephone company in La Paz). Lara indicated that there is video evidence of protestors receiving sums of money following their role in the protests. One report suggested that each receive between 20 - 200 Bs.
Some cynics might even suggest that the political parties and business groups are funneling money to the protests in order to make the divisions even larger. It is in their best interest to see more violence and blockades, because that gives them even more reason to declare themselves autonomous/independent. (Okay, I admit I am said cynic).
Again, this is unfortunate because this will further discredit these movements. Instead of talking about the issues at hand, we are talking about protest means and questionable motives. Most of those involved have nothing to lose, and a lot to gain if they can receive payment, which helps feed their children. Most are poor campesino with a bleak future, and are not disciples of Chavez or Castro, who tune in every weekend for Alo, Presidente!
Update 1: Bolpress has an article about external financing and Cotel.
Category: Bolivia
Posted by eduardo at Mayo 27, 2005 03:43 PM
Comments
As always, appreciate the link.
My guess is that there is a very limited amount of money going from Chavez to the protesters. Eventually someone will find the link and publish it on the internets so they can point and go "A-HA!!!". Then they'll point at my post and tell me how I was wrong.
In the end, any money Chavez is providing is not creating the protests and halting that money wouldn't stabilize the country. It's like he's contributing $1000 to a political campaign that's running on millions.
Posted by: boz at Mayo 27, 2005 05:36 PM
I do think Chavez gives a lot of money to MAS to do what they wish, including some campaign funds and if they wish, mobilization support. I don't think it goes to El Alto groups.
Although I still want proof and not just some retired General who only wants to make Chavez look bad.
AMyL from Publius Pundit said that he has proof.
http://www.publiuspundit.com/?p=1043#comments
I am waiting ;)
Posted by: eduardo at Mayo 27, 2005 06:23 PM
I am also intrigued and waiting for proof. There has to be someone financing these things. For a long time now there have been report after report of people being coerced or paid to attend these demonstrations.
Posted by: Miguel (MABB) at Mayo 28, 2005 01:13 AM
I don't think that Chavez (or anyone) is behind ALL of the protests. If only life were that simple! But life is complex. Meaning: it's clear that Chavez is behind SOME of this (which means it could blow up in his face, or go out of his control, or whatever). There are many different groups in/out of Bolivia that want different things. They're all trying to get as much leverage/influence as they can.
So Chavez IS involved, but it's clear that he's not in CONTROL of anything. Keeping that distinction is very important.
Posted by: miguel (ciao!) at Mayo 28, 2005 02:11 AM