Jeanine Ánez, the interim president after Evo Morales’ resignation in 2019, was arrested in Bolivia. She is charged with “terrorism” and “incitement to riot” in the investigation of “Coup D’état” against her.
Prior President Morales
Morales was born into to a worker family on the Andean altiplano and later laid down a good foundation for himself in Chapare toward the start of the coca blast. His working path as an “Union Leader” removed him from farming and led him into political stage, here his fight against drugs was marked by his criticism of the United States, which meant the elimination of cash for labors in the agricultural area. By guarding the coca leaf, devoured for quite a long time in the Andean world and the natural substance for cocaine, Morales was successful in order to connect his resistance to America’s “against-drug” strategy with the protection of local-social practice and the monetary privileges of poor people. In this manner, Morales’ initiative united three representative aspects: patriotism, apprehension for poor people, and arising ethnic pride among Bolivia’s local groups.
Morales’ prosperity lays to a great extent on populism. Despite the fact that he is against liberalism over the economy, his power is a result of the political liberalism that advances and feeds on the advantages created by the market economy.
Morales ran for the administration for the fourth time in the October 2019 decisions, with the Constitutional Court altering the law restricting the term of the presidency. Morales’ rival Carlos Mesa spoke up about an unjust action was done and the nation observed exhibits for a long time. The Chief of Staff at the weekend added that “The President must resign in order to ensure stability” to the protesters’ calls. Morales reported his resign in a discourse broadcast live on TV on November 10.
Interim President Jeanine Ánez
With the dismissal of President Morales after her position as a senator, Jeanine Ánez came to power with the assurance of the military. However, since it portrays a coup government on the basis of the aforementioned change of power in line with the promises of democratization to the public, it reveals the view that it has a negative impact on the democratic development of Bolivia. In addition, it can be mentioned that the right-wing ideology’s obtaining executive power through a coup causes the process to become a part of democratic erosion.
The Erosion
After her being the Interim President, likewise, Jeanine Ánez, pointed Morales and their supporters on trial with similar crimes, the desired result could not be achieved with the formation of a new government that would get the support of the public, After Luis Arce Catacora, whom Morales knew from the same political party, came to power after 2020 Presidency Election, the government took an action against the principles of democracy and started an investigation and a legal process, accusing the interim government on the claim that Morales and his government were detained as a result of the coup attempt.
As a feature of the investigation, two names in Ánez ‘s previous party; Energy Minister Rodrigo Guzman and Justice Minister Alvaro Coimbra were likewise captured.
Jeanine Ánez stated on her social media accounts that the accusations are against the legal process and that the constitution is used in line with the purpose, denying the allegations that the interim presidency process is caused by a coup, and that the administration is acting to gain power illegally.
The effects of the change in political power in Bolivia became more evident with this ongoing scandal related with the departure of Evo Morales, who ruled the country for 13 years. Especially Morales’ movement towards Socialism continued to be popular and Luis Arce took the chair with 55% of the votes. The government that came to power as a result of a democratic election, as mentioned above, made a move against its political rivals by using the constitution and institutions in an authoritarian manner.
These political governments, including the post-Morales interim government, led to the formation of authoritarian regimes by using political instruments, and also put forward the will of the people for support. While the government of Interim President forced the Morales administration to resign through demonstrations and riots, the government elected under the presidency of Luis Arce tried to prevent the opposition by interfering with the constitution and polarizing the people. However, in the light of all this information, it can be said that democratic erosion is only one of the inevitable and destructive consequences of authoritarian state formations and unstable state structures.
One of the most important factors that will determine the political future of Bolivia will be political power and its legitimacy. A political power that will be established in line with the will of the people should move away from the authoritarian management style and approach politics with a progressive attitude, otherwise progress cannot be achieved.
References
Bellamy, D. (2021, March 14). Bolivia’s political crisis deepens after former interim president arrested. Retrieved from Euro News: https://www.euronews.com/2021/03/14/bolivia-s-political-crisis-deepens-after-former-interim-president-arrested#
İlhan, L. (2019, November 11). Anadolu Ajansı. Retrieved from Bolivya’da istifa eden yerli Devlet Başkanı: Evo Morales: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/bolivyada-istifa-eden-yerli-devlet-baskani-evo-morales/1641617
Laserna, R. (2010, April 8). Evo Morales and the Populist Paradox. Retrieved from Project Syndicate: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/evo-morales-and-the-populist-paradox?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=1220154768&hsa_cam=12374283753&hsa_grp=117511853986&hsa_ad=499567080222&hsa_src=g&hsa_tgt=dsa-19959388920&h
Photo by Aizar Raldes/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/12/world/americas/Bolivia-Anez-arrest-warrant.html
This article provides a succinct summary of the recent developments in Bolivia, nice work! Bolivia is a particularly interesting case of democratic erosion, as the Morales administration’s authoritarian tendencies were interrupted by more egregious authoritarianism by its opponents. Military coups are one of the most explicit forms of democratic erosion and protests don’t always reflect the general public will, as seen in this post.
However, I think we need to be careful accusing Morales of true authoritarianism. While, on paper, his supporters are primarily members of indigenous ethnic groups, it’s important to consider that these people form a marginalized community oppressed by a small white elite. There’s a big difference between encouraging pride in response to injustice and encouraging pride amongst racially privileged groups, one tends to expand democracy and the other tends to degrade it. Otherwise, I agree with your characterization of Morales’s tenure in office as having some undemocratic tendencies.
Sal Giolando
The Ohio State University