Bolivians Cast Votes For
Autonomy of Two More
Regions
Bolivians in two more
opposition-controlled
states went to polls on
Sunday for their
autonomy after a
referendum approved the
autonomy of Santa Cruz
last month, local
reports reaching here
said.
The referendums in Beni
and Pando, which could
easily pass, are
described by President
Evo Morales' government
as "unconstitutional"
attempts to further
divide the country.
"It's not a problem of
autonomy," Morales said
Sunday. "The problem is
that they can't accept
that an Indian from the
countryside is their
president."
About 134,468 people in
Beni and 28,990 in Pando,
the regions with a more
mixed-race population,
could cast ballots in
the opposition-organized
votes, which triggered
fierce clashes between
supporters of the
government and the
opposition. At least 20
people were injured on
Monday morning.
Government supporters
reportedly burnt voting
boxes and
election-related
materials in Pando and
about 70 farmers blocked
a highway in Beni to
disrupt the election.
Bolivia's wealthy state
Santa Cruz declared
autonomy on May 4 after
a similar vote which the
Electoral National Court
said was "illegal."
The referendum was
marred by violence which
left at least one person
dead and 30 others
injured.
The rightist opposition
is seeking through the
referendums more
economic and political
powers, such as keeping
cattle ranches and soy
plantations from
expropriation under
Morales' land reform or
holding a bigger share
of natural gas reserves.
The Organization of
American States and many
Latin American
governments are also
opposed to the autonomy
referendums, but
Bolivian opposition
leaders say the process
is "irreversible."
Another state Tarija is
scheduled to hold the
autonomy vote on June
22.
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