Yet another Bolivian state opts for more autonomy

An estimated four out of five voters in Bolivia's Tarija province opted for more autonomy in a local referendum yesterday. Tarija thus becomes the fourth province this year to seek more local control and at the same time reject the policies of President Evo Morales.

Much like the previous votes in other eastern regions, Morales declared the plebiscite as illegal and pro-government supporters have urged a boycott. Nevertheless, autonomy backers celebrated the result and have declared that the rest of Bolivia will join suit against Morales:

“Today it is clear that Bolivians must construct a new Bolivian state based on autonomy” said the prefect of Tarija- Mario Cossio- during a speech where he also blasted the central government…

Beni prefect Ernesto Suarez said that the referendums in the four provinces signaled to the government that “autonomy is an irreversible process and it will not end in Tarija…until it becomes the norm in all nine departments.” – [ed. personal translation]

The division between the indigenous, impoverished western regions and the wealthy, energy-rich eastern provinces will come to a head in less than two months. A nationwide referendum will be held to decide the fate of Morales and the nine provincial governors.

Sources (English)- AFP, The Latin Americanist, Reuters UK, BBC News

Sources (Spanish)- La Razon

Image- Al Jazeera English (“Tarija has joined Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando in voting for autonomy")