On 9 August “a national political dialogue” called the previous day by Bolivia’s interim president Jeanine Áñez in an attempt to end a week of nationwide roadblocks, erected in protest at the latest postponement of the country’s general election, failed to get off the ground.
Analysis:
Áñez was rebuffed in no uncertain terms. Representatives of the main workers’ union Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), which launched the latest protests in response to a resolution in late July by the supreme electoral tribunal (TSE) to push back the general election from 6 September to 18 October, the main presidential contenders, and the presidents of the lower chamber of the legislative assembly, Sergio Choque, and senate, Eva Copa, respectively all declined her invitation. The only attendees were candidates for smaller parties with no chance of winning, the president of the TSE, Salvador Romero, and representatives of the United Nations (UN), European Union (EU) and Catholic Church overseeing dialogue.
- The talks lasted three-and-a-half hours with no substantive agreements because the key players were not present. Opposing groups reject the interim government’s argument that postponing the elections is essential because of a sharp increase in confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), arguing that the interim goverment has already outstayed its welcome and, if anything, a legitimate, democratically elected, government is more essential than ever in order to address the twin health and economic crises associated with the pandemic.
- Áñez antagonised opponents by suggesting that the purpose of the talks was to confirm the TSE’s new date for the elections and to lift the roadblocks, which she claimed were “preventing oxygen from reaching Covid-19 patients”. The COB leader, Juan Carlos Huarachi, was adamant that “the proposal has been clear and concrete – elections on 6 September”. He argued that, if they were delayed further, the TSE and the interim government would be “wholly responsible for anything that happens”.
- Áñez insisted that the delay of the elections had not been “on a whim” but was “a necessity” in the face of the pandemic. The minister of the presidency, Yerko Núñez, did nothing to defuse tensions, accusing the protesters of having ulterior motives. “Before the Bolivian people and the international community”, Núñez said, “the protest leaders behind these inhumane and criminal measures are dishonest [about their true intentions]”.
- The interim government has denounced the protesters before the Organization of American States (OAS), claiming they are responsible for at least 31 fatalities from a lack of oxygen as a result of the 70-odd roadblocks around the country concentrated in the departments of Cochabamba, Oruro, La Paz, and Potosí. Organisers of the protests insist that they have been letting through vehicles carrying medical supplies and oxygen and accuse the interim government of seeking to deflect blame for its own inadequate handling of the pandemic. But they risk losing public support for their cause if people feel the protests are jeopardising the lives of those seriously ill from Covid-19.
Looking Ahead: Núñez said the government will form a commission today (10 August) to explore a dialogue with all political and social sectors.