Santa Cruz, You're not that far - but you want to be...

le Peadar de Bluit

Santa Cruz, Bolivia's wealthiest region, has gone to the polls in a vote that could change the direction Bolivia's future considerably. The inhabitants of the region frustrated by the policies of Bolivia's first indigenous president, have chosen to rid itself of the Socialist baggage of Evo Morales' heavily centralised government. Sunday last they descended on the polling stations in a bid to gain autonomy for the region.

Since Morales came to power in 2006 his policies of redistribution and nationalisation of natural gas reserves have been a severe hindrance to the ability of Santa Cruz to garner further revenue. These actions have been the source of great frustration among the residents of Santa Cruz many of whom descend from original Spanish settlers, and even today look with little favour upon the indigenous Morales.

Morales has been utilising the gas reserves available in abundances in Bolivia to deliver better conditions for the indigenous Bolivians, who until Morales’ arrival would have received quite a raw deal from the government. Under the presidency of Morales however this has begun to change with economic and education reform being pushed through under Morales' watch. The possible withdrawal of Santa Cruz from Bolivia however could damage all this progress.

While I'm sure all sorts of people could come up with all sorts of reasons as to why Santa Cruz should be granted its autonomy and liberated from the Socialist menace of Morales, but the fact of the matter is that the people of Santa Cruz are like spoilt children. They don't want to share their assets no matter the benefit they may be to others. Because after all that is what is at the heart of this standoff, assets, natural gas.

The point of disagreement here is not a real, honest claim from autonomy based on historical, ethnic or cultural differences like in Ireland, or the Basque country. The people of Santa Cruz want to protect their wealth - ill-gotten wealth from the time of the conquistadors - vast ranches and natural gas reserves. The actions of Morales can, for the first time in a long time, offer a better life for indigenous Bolivians, but residents in Santa Cruz are saying no. Morales has vowed to fight the results of the vote, offering instead to engage in dialogue with community leaders.

What is happening in Bolivia is an example of unadultered capitalism, greed at it’s worst. Even thought the plight of the indigenous people of Bolivia is lying unresolved for years the population of Santa Cruz still want to withdraw sending things back in reverse just when they were starting to improve. The people of Santa Cruz have no right, historical or otherwise, to deny Bolivia the exploitation of their natural resources for the betterment of the general population. Morales is trying to build a better Bolivia for all but acts like this hinder the project being advanced by him.