Why US frets over Bolivia

[Thom Little]

Despite its obscurity for many Americans, Bolivia has one of the largest US embassies in Latin America. The main reason for that is coca - the key ingredient in cocaine.

The US has spent billions of dollars eradicating coca plants and promoting alternative crops. But presidential front-runner Evo Morales wants to decriminalize Bolivia's native plant.

Another major concern, say US officials, is the relationship between Mr. Morales and Venezuela's Hugo Chávez. "The administration has found mounting evidence that Venezuela is actively using its oil wealth to destabilize its democratic neighbors in the Americas by funding anti-democratic groups in Bolivia, Ecuador, and elsewhere," wrote acting Assistant Secretary of State Matt Reynolds earlier this year.

No evidence supporting those claims has been presented. But Morales supporters have taken to the streets to help bring down two presidents in just over two years, raising concerns about his commitment to ballot-box democracy.


http://csmonitor.com/2005/1216/p05s01-woam.htm

[dusmcj]

1. it's been twenty years since we fucked around in the W. hemisphere

the usual suspects are slacking off. Besides, a little adventure in the hood would distract from ummm, errors abroad.

We remember the surveillance and infiltration of CISPES and the mining of Nicaragua's harbors.

[madmark]

2. End the stupid fucking war on drugs

[bemildred]

3. "No evidence supporting those claims has been presented." nt