Weekly Report - 28 June 2012 (WR-12-25)

The cries of coup appear infectious. Police riots across Bolivia this week led President Evo Morales to claim that “right-wing forces” were infiltrating the protests to set the stage for a “coup”. While protesters had clear demands – for better wages and labour conditions – and the political opposition accused Morales of resorting to a familiar tactic of spinning any unrest as a destabilisation plot, the rebellion, which has since ended following a deal struck with the government, is the latest sign of crisis within the institution.