Dec. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Bolivian Indian activist Evo Morales, who describes himself as the "United States' worst nightmare," won election as president of South America's poorest nation.
Today begins a new Bolivia…This is not just about changing the government or changing the presidency, but changing our history. I am a candidate of those despised in Bolivian history, the candidate of the most hated and the most discriminated against. --Evo Morales
From Cuba Solidarity - New York:
Dear Sister and Brothers,
What more inspiring way to end 2006 than the decisive victory of Evo Morales and his Movement to Socialism (MAS) party in the presidential and legislative elections in Bolivia. The initial results indicate a clear majority of over 50% for Morales confounding the pre-election polls of 32-34%. The results confirm what had become obvious on the ground—and even reported by numerous reporters from the big-business press—that the Morales campaign had become a mass movement, an extension of the social explosions of workers, peasants, and indigenous peoples that brought down the murderous, neo-liberal, pro-imperialist regime of Sanchez de Lozado in 2003 and the vacillating Mesa government earlier this year which refused to carry out popular demands to nationalize Bolivia’s vast energy resources to benefit working people and confirms the political radicalization, class polarization, and the rise of indigenous people’s struggle in the country.
The great people’s victory in electing Evo Morales president also confirms and is a major leap and turning point in the left-wing dynamics and drive for Latin American integration and solidarity. Morales victory opens the door to new economic arrangements with Venezuela (photo left: Morales with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez) and Brazil to develop, produce, and expand a nationalized energy sector in the interests of workers and peasants and Latin American integration. It will give new impetus to re-establishing an outlet to the sea for Bolivia. It will inspire the indigenous people of Ecuador and Peru to unite and fight for power. It will put pressure on the Colombian government to reach a peace agreement with guerrilla movements and move away from Washington’s Plan Colombia and confrontation with Venezuela. It will open the door to deepening ties between Bolivia and revolutionary Cuba; we can expect to see an expansion of Cuban medical and educational missions as the new government focuses on raising the living and cultural standards of working people, starting with literacy and medical access. And, of course, the Morales victory is a slap in the face and a major blow to Washington’s already sputtering campaign to isolate and undermine Cuba and Venezuela and salvage pro-imperialist economic policies.
Over the next few weeks Cuba Solidarity New York will be finalizing plans to send a delegation to the World Social Forum in Caracas January 21-29. If you want to be part of this historic gathering, you must act quickly and email CSNY at the address below.
2006 will undoubtedly see giant new development in the pattern of deepening anti-imperialist struggle in Latin America, with Cuba, Venezuela, and Bolivia at the center of growing popular resistance which is breaking down and dismantling the so-called Washington Consensus. We are looking at greater openings than ever to challenge Washington’s economic and political war against Cuba, to win support for freedom for the Cuban 5, and to stop intervention against Venezuela.
We look forward to a new year of solidarity and struggle and building our movement in 2006!
Seasons Greetings from Cuba Solidarity New York,
Ike Nahem, Nellie Bailey, and Jaime Mendieta for
CUBA SOLIDARITY NEW YORK
P.O. Box 423
New York, NY 10044
cubasolidarityny@mindspring.com
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