Global Voices Online

Emigration from Bolivia, especially to Western European countries, continues to be a topic of discussion in the Bolivian blogosphere. Two Bolivians, who currently reside in Europe, are dismayed over tighter restrictions on entry to these destination countries. Holland-based blogger, Alexey Rodriguez says that “Only eleven countries in the world will not ask me for a visa. Sigh.” These changes are a response to the wave of Bolivians and other nationals that enter these countries, sometimes on fake Bolivian passports. Miguel Buitrago aka MABB in Germany wonders whether these changes will make a dent on illegal migration.

During the recent Feria del Libro (Book Fair) in La Paz, a new book called “No Llores, Prenda, Pronto Volveré” (Don´t cry, dear, I will return soon), written by Leonardo de la Torre Avila was featured. Blogger Mariana Ruiz, who writes at Marea y Cielo (ES) reviews the book (ES) for the Blogs Bolivia webpage. The book looks at the special relationship between the province of Esteban Arce in Cochabamba and Arlington, VA, where the influx of Bolivians start a new life, while leaving behind family and their homeland.

The process to rewrite the Constitution is underway in Sucre. One Bolivian blogger, Mario Duran of Palabras Libres (ES) recently launched a new project called La Constituyente, which contains articles from local news sources, interviews and a space for discussion in blog format.

Criticisms continue of this current administration, with some of the criticisms directed at the recent actions such as the emission of a stamp with the current President, the designation of President Evo Morales´ boyhood home as a national landmark, and the proposed creation of a fourth state power. However, Sergio Molina, who writes at La Columna Robada (ES) thinks that there are more serious criticisms such as the polarization between Occident and Orient, the attempts to weaken minority groups within the Constituent Assembly and the suspected corruption within the state petroleum company Yacimientos Petroliferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB).

Finally, during one of the recent civic displays, President Morales was caught on film using the flag to wipe his nose. The anonymous blogger, El Develador, who blogs at Morir Antes Esclavos Vivir (ES), recommends that the President should invest in some inexpensive handkerchiefs.