In the mountains of Bolivia Severino and Maxima are typical of the poor Coca farmers who are desperate for their newly elected government to deliver change and drag them out of poverty.
Over lunch with their family they told me how they like thousands of other Bolivian Indians had suffered under former governments.
Severino.
Personally, I was imprisoned and beaten, terribly just to remember this we suffered so much in the neo liberal governments, terribly repressed,
The industrialization of the coca leaf, for tea and mate, is at the heart of the new morales government, and it has enunsured them massive support.
Severino
For 514 years the power was in the hands of the Right. Now it has to change to the Left. Power must be in the hands of the poor. We want change.
Severino and Maximo then took me to join thousands of other marchers in Cochabamba. A year ago these marching Bolivians voted for their countries first ever indigenous president.
President Evo Morales came to power promising social revolution in one of the poorest countries in South America. The promised revolution however is not going to plan. Many farmers and indigenous groups, want the old white elite thrown out immediately.
This is no more obvious than in the city of Cochabamba which has seen rampant violence and 2 dead. where violence, street protests and mob killings have been taking place Here the peoples who swept Morales to power are demanding resignation of right wing hate figure, but democratically elected governor Manfred Reyes.
Governer Manfred Reyes.
Its an attack against democracy. There is an assault against 6 of the 9 governors that were elected but dont follow the governments line.
Many Bolivians are so frustrated and desperate for change that they are even threatening their own indigenous government.
Group of youths
Morales the people elected you president! And now we are going to un-elect you and kick you out!
Shots of crowd violence beating each other. With rhetoric on both sides becoming more extreme, it is unclear whether the first indigenous government in Bolivias history can keep the country unified.
Crowd spokesperson
All of you have all fought for a Change!
The marchers had come from all over the country, They see the governor of Cochabamba as corrupt and want him out.
Crowd spokesman agitator speaking to crowd
Throwing out governor Manfred is not enough. All of Cochabamba must physically crush and destroy the Right wing!
These thousands of people want no compromise or dialogue with the right wing or opposition groups. What happened next showed the problem the Bolivian government is now in. The government leaders asked for calm and order but the crowd could not be controlled.
Guv Official
Our acts my companions, have to be legal, because if not, we shall be against the constitution, and will be in great difficulties!
The angry crowd felt they elected the government, they are the majority and therefore their wishes should be carried out. Whether legal or illegal under the bolivian constitution.
Man in crowd.
What a bunch of liars!
Frustrated and angry, some of the crowd began to storm the building. The leaders, constitutionally unable to follow the wishes of the crowd and elect a new governor, fled. Others now took the microphone.
Crowd Agitator
Now we have to chose our own Governor! We the people! They cannot laugh at us any more!
The people then decided to take power into their own hands and elect their own governor and representatives.
Crowd.
We no longer have a governor. He has been dismissed! You all now have to name your governors. People Power! People Power!
The crowd stayed into the night electing their own people. Jubilant and carrying their new officials on their shoulders, they decided to enter the government building.
The Bolivian police, notoriously violent, lined up to defend the building. Such a confrontation would usually end in shooting and blood shed. However under the new government, the police had orders to try and pacify the crowd and allow them their wishes.
Police chief
People! Dont be hot headed! Above all be reasonable!
Unable to enter after hours of waiting, the crowd went off into the night, carrying their self elected guvnor on their shoulders. Although it denies it, the Bolivian government is in a precarious position.It must keep onside a poverty stricken population desperate for immediate change yet engage in slow legal and democratic government against an intransient opposition. From what I saw in Cochabamba, it is not certain it will succeed.
Over lunch with their family they told me how they like thousands of other Bolivian Indians had suffered under former governments.
Severino.
Personally, I was imprisoned and beaten, terribly just to remember this we suffered so much in the neo liberal governments, terribly repressed,
The industrialization of the coca leaf, for tea and mate, is at the heart of the new morales government, and it has enunsured them massive support.
Severino
For 514 years the power was in the hands of the Right. Now it has to change to the Left. Power must be in the hands of the poor. We want change.
Severino and Maximo then took me to join thousands of other marchers in Cochabamba. A year ago these marching Bolivians voted for their countries first ever indigenous president.
President Evo Morales came to power promising social revolution in one of the poorest countries in South America. The promised revolution however is not going to plan. Many farmers and indigenous groups, want the old white elite thrown out immediately.
This is no more obvious than in the city of Cochabamba which has seen rampant violence and 2 dead. where violence, street protests and mob killings have been taking place Here the peoples who swept Morales to power are demanding resignation of right wing hate figure, but democratically elected governor Manfred Reyes.
Governer Manfred Reyes.
Its an attack against democracy. There is an assault against 6 of the 9 governors that were elected but dont follow the governments line.
Many Bolivians are so frustrated and desperate for change that they are even threatening their own indigenous government.
Group of youths
Morales the people elected you president! And now we are going to un-elect you and kick you out!
Shots of crowd violence beating each other. With rhetoric on both sides becoming more extreme, it is unclear whether the first indigenous government in Bolivias history can keep the country unified.
Crowd spokesperson
All of you have all fought for a Change!
The marchers had come from all over the country, They see the governor of Cochabamba as corrupt and want him out.
Crowd spokesman agitator speaking to crowd
Throwing out governor Manfred is not enough. All of Cochabamba must physically crush and destroy the Right wing!
These thousands of people want no compromise or dialogue with the right wing or opposition groups. What happened next showed the problem the Bolivian government is now in. The government leaders asked for calm and order but the crowd could not be controlled.
Guv Official
Our acts my companions, have to be legal, because if not, we shall be against the constitution, and will be in great difficulties!
The angry crowd felt they elected the government, they are the majority and therefore their wishes should be carried out. Whether legal or illegal under the bolivian constitution.
Man in crowd.
What a bunch of liars!
Frustrated and angry, some of the crowd began to storm the building. The leaders, constitutionally unable to follow the wishes of the crowd and elect a new governor, fled. Others now took the microphone.
Crowd Agitator
Now we have to chose our own Governor! We the people! They cannot laugh at us any more!
The people then decided to take power into their own hands and elect their own governor and representatives.
Crowd.
We no longer have a governor. He has been dismissed! You all now have to name your governors. People Power! People Power!
The crowd stayed into the night electing their own people. Jubilant and carrying their new officials on their shoulders, they decided to enter the government building.
The Bolivian police, notoriously violent, lined up to defend the building. Such a confrontation would usually end in shooting and blood shed. However under the new government, the police had orders to try and pacify the crowd and allow them their wishes.
Police chief
People! Dont be hot headed! Above all be reasonable!
Unable to enter after hours of waiting, the crowd went off into the night, carrying their self elected guvnor on their shoulders. Although it denies it, the Bolivian government is in a precarious position.It must keep onside a poverty stricken population desperate for immediate change yet engage in slow legal and democratic government against an intransient opposition. From what I saw in Cochabamba, it is not certain it will succeed.