Jan 24 2009
Is Another Coup d’etat Looming?
This Sunday, Bolivia will be holding an important referendum on the constitution. If passed, land and energy resources will further be redistributed from rich landowners to indigenous peasants, which will also help advance social programs and native rights. Although such measures will likely be beneficial for lower class Bolivians, the oligarchy from within and abroad will once again utilize their fear mongering tactics by describing Evo Morales as a communist dictator out to destroy democracy. This is of course a preposterous notion, especially if Morales is leaving it up to the people to decided.
Regardless of his popularity, the history of Latin America demonstrates that even the most beloved leader can fall from power at any moment. It’s important to assess U.S. strategy if the reforms in Bolivia proceed. Will Barack Obama’s message of change include moving towards a foreign policy that respects the sovereignty of other states, or will he follow the path that his predecessors have taken and prolong American hegemony?
I”m guessing the Obamessiah will follow his predecessors. Almost every president since Monroe has acted like we own the whole world and can do whatever we please, and poor Latin America has suffered the brunt of our interventionism. Even self-righteous presidents like Jimmy Carter took this attitude and supported pro-American dictators.
http://politicalanimal.today.com/