Socialists Cause Havoc in Bolivia

Reed Lindsay has written a fine article about the problems facing Bolivia. The president, Mr. Carlos Mesa, two days ago submitted his resignation to the Congress, because the socialists were demanding a 50% tariff on royalties instead of the 18% that has been (and still is, it was passed in Congress Thursday) the amount for extracting oil and gas. It didn't matter to them that companies would pack up and take their business elsewhere.

"In the moment when a single petroleum company questions the sincerity of the hydrocarbons law passed by Bolivia, the Congress of the United States can make it impossible to carry out its aid programs in Bolivia. The European Union can consider freezing support to our country," Mr. Mesa said.

After President Mesa threatened to resign, the socialists realized they had gone too far. They did not particularly want him to resign, they just wanted to stick it foreign business.

"The presidency of Carlos Mesa is a necessary evil," Roberto de la Cruz [said]. <...> "If he resigns, it would be disastrous for our social movements. I don't think [Congress] will accept it." <...> Nobody is asking for him to resign.

So it goes. They feel as if they may be being blackmailed, but President Mesa does not see things in this light.

"In the moment when a single petroleum company questions the sincerity of the hydrocarbons law passed by Bolivia, the Congress of the United States can make it impossible to carry out its aid programs in Bolivia. The European Union can consider freezing support to our country," Mr. Mesa said.

The socialists had protested in the streets, blockcaded traffic, and created havoc. That is why President Mesa threatened to resign in the first place. In Bolivia, the Congress must accept the resignation. This Congress was not about to accept his resignation, so yesterday he withdrew it.

I am glad that Bolivia has overcome it's crisis. Let us hope they are able to move forward from here. You may read the whole article at the link I provided by the author's name. Have a great day.