Autonomy Referendum
Begins in Tarija,
Bolivia
The referendum to decide
the autonomy of the
Bolivian department of
Tarija (south) from the
government of President
Evo Morales began Sunday
at 8 a.m. local time,
according to information
reaching here from La
Paz, administrative
capital of Bolivia.
The referendum was done
without major incidents,
and it was more pacific
in comparison with the
three made in Beni,
Pando and Santa Cruz.
More than 173,000
citizens of Tarija were
summoned to participate
in the approbation of
the autonomy statute,
which Morales consider
it illegal and
separatists.
Tarija's authorities,
supported by businessmen
groups, are opposed to
the economic policy of
Morales and to the
constitutional changes
with socialist ideas,
and they are seeking
their autonomy by a
popular consult, like
Santa Cruz, Pando and
Beni did.
Tarija has 391,226
inhabitants, and has 85
percent of the Bolivian
gas reserves, which are
the second most
important in South
America.
The referendum was
declared illegal by the
Electoral National Court
(CNE), because it was
not summoned by the
Congress of the
republic.
However, the
Departmental Court (DC)
said that the process is
viable, not respecting
what the CNE had said.
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