Junio 26, 2005
Evo and Juan del Granado
Evo Morales’ chances to win the next Presidential elections have just improved with the announcement of an alliance with a popular mayor. Earlier this week, La Paz leftist mayor Juan del Granado (MSM) announced that he is entering a “Frente Amplio ” with Evo/MAS. No word what that actually means, but more than likely it may be an Evo/Juan Sin Miedo ticket. This self-described anti-neoliberalism alliance appears to be the favorite until the Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga (ADN), Samuel Doria Medina (UN) and others declare candidacies and/or alliances.
One wonders why del Granado announced this alliance so early. Some may have seen del Granado as that center option so badly needed in Bolivia. Now that he will probably allow Morales to be the Presidential candidate, many middle class Bolivians who cannot stand Evo may now look elsewhere. Theoretically, del Granado could have run as the MSM candidate and given Evo his votes in Parliament forming a coalition, which would have accomplished practically the same purpose. However, now that Bolivians now del Granado’s intent, a vote him would mean a vote for Evo.
Meanwhile, del Granado has already started his own politicking, throwing jabs at El Alto mayor Jose Luis Paredes (PP). On the traditional coldest night of the year, June 23, also known as “San Juan”, del Granado was out in full view pleading Paceños to resist the urge to light bonfires, which has been a longstanding tradition to combat the frosty nights. These fires, in which old tires and other garbage are the main fuel also contribute to an environmentally awful day after, have been prohibited by nearly every urban center. Yet, laws were made to be broken apparently because the public still light these fires everywhere. Juan Sin Miedo was seen riding around in pick-up trucks asking the public to protect the environment and take advantage of free concerts in the city’s main plazas. He criticized Paredes for not doing the same, saying that Paredes is already thinking about Prefect elections by allowing Alteños to do as they please. Where was Juan during the mobilizations that suffocated La Paz and caused more damage than some watery eyes and smoggy horizons?
Finally, La Paz daily La Razon provided some interesting behind-the-scenes looks at the days surrounding the events leading up to the new Presidency of Eduardo Rodriguez. La Razon reports that if Hormando Vaca Diez or Mario Cossio did not decline their right of succession, then Carlos Mesa would have dissolved Congress and remained in the Presidency until new elections took place ruling by decrees.
Apparently Vaca Diez caught wind of this plan, and decided to turn down the Presidency opening up for Rodriguez to be Bolivia’s third president since 2002. In an interview with a Colombian newspaper, Mesa said, “Ten minutes after Vaca Diez’ speech (where he declined the Presidency) everything we planned to do ten minutes prior changed. If I had the misfortune of making a decision ten minutes before, the country’s history would have changed.” Would he have gotten away with what he saw as what was best for the country because a Vaca Diez administration would have meant unrivaled conflict between Bolivians? Probably, because most likely Mesa had the Armed Forces on his side all along and they would have ensured that Mesa held Bolivia together.
Posted by eduardo at Junio 26, 2005 09:40 PM