Source:
O Globo (Brazilian newspaper in Rio de Janeiro), by Leonard Valente (translation StefanX)The wrap-up of Bolivia's Constitutaional Convention, scheduled for August, may become a powderkeg for one of the most serious crises in South America's recent history. The part of Bolivia known as Half Moon, made up mainly of the states of Santa Cruz, Pando, Beni and Tarija, is heading for an outbreak of large-scale armed separatist conflict, if demands for greater autonomy for the region are not met by the new Constitution. According to regional leaders and analysts, the movement, known as Camba Nation, has militias with about 12,000 men, who are said to be receiving training from the paramilitary group United Self-Defense of Colombia (AUC, Autodefensas Unidas de Colombia). Brazilian military sources fear that, in case of a conflict, Hugo Chavez would intervene in favor of {Bolivian president} Evo Morales...
"We are just waiting for the wrap-up of the Constitutional Convention. If they don't guarantee us the autonomy we're demanding in the Constitution, the next step is separation. There is no room for compromise; the situation is untenable. We do favor a political solution, but we will not give way on our plans, because our development and the will of our people are at stake. Everything is on the table," said Sergio Antelo, one of the leaders of {the separatist group} Camba Nation.
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The territory demanded by the separatists represents about 70% of Bolivia, generates most of the country's wealth and has the highest socio-economic indicators of {Bolivia}, one of the poorest countries in South America. The movement has existed for decades but it became stronger when Evo Morales came to power and proposed a "new foundation" for Bolivia and a review of what he calls historic injustices against the indigenous people -- the poorest group in the country. Autonomy supporters allege that Morales, with his goals of centralization, is taking resources from the richest regions via taxes, without offering investments in return.
"The poverty of the Andes region of the country isn't our fault. What he (Morales) is doing is impoverishing Bolivia, because the money of ours which he invests in the indigenous communities also isn't helping their situation. We have a clear goal, which is our campaign's slogal: 'Fatherland or Death'," says a high-level official of Santa Cruz state who is part of the separatist movement, who requested anonymity and confirmed the existence of appoximately 12,000 militia members.
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The autonomy proposal which the separatists are asking {Bolivia's capital} La Paz to include in the new Constitution is modeled on a "bi-national state", which would give the states of Camba Nation independence in resource management, internal security and adminstration. Morales responds that the proposal is not conducive to a sovereign and integrated nation, saying that it's an "excuse for initiatives aimed at harming our unity and sovereignty." Morales has a force of about 25,000 men in {Bolivia's}armed forces, and in the last few months has received helicopters from Venezuela.
"If our demands are not met, we are in a position to rapidly close the access connecting Santa Cruz to the Andes region (where La Paz is located). This would prevent Morales's troops from entering. We realize that if we do this, Morales will have the support of Hugo Chavez to do air strikes. But if he accepts that support, he's going to be helping us instead of hurting us. If Venezuela gets involved, we'll have more support from the international community," the official stated, confirming that his forces are receiving training from Colombia's AUC and arms ordered from Israel. "We're not fools, we need to be ready for anything."
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The possibility of a confrontation between Half Moon militias and Bolivian troops under Evo Morales could jeopardize the supply of gas to both Brazil and Argentina. The state of Tarija in Bolivia, which is responsible for more than 90% of the natural gas sent to Argentina and Brazil, is part of Half Moon and is said to be territory being claimed by the Camba Nation separatists in case of conflict. Two mega-oilfields (San Alberto and San Antonio) operated by {Brazilian state oil company} Petrobras are located there, producing about 80% of the Bolivian gas consumed by Brazil.
Read more:
http://oglobo.globo.com/mundo/mat/2007/04/28/295556845.asp
This is (yet another) oil-rich region which is close to erupting in conflict.
The autonomy movement is in the oil-rich region (around the Amazon) and includes more people of European descent. Bolivia's government under Evo Morales (around the Andes) includes more indigenous people.
It's also worth noting that the 100,000 acres of land recently purchased by Bush is close to this oil-rich region.
We should keep an eye on this brewing conflict and support a fair, diplomatic solution.
Other links:
http://news.google.com.br/news?hl=pt&ned=pt-BR_br&ie=UTF-8&ncl=1103701107