Global Voices Online » Mario Duran http://globalvoicesonline.org The world is talking. Are you listening? Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:08:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 The world is talking. Are you listening? Global Voices Online no The world is talking. Are you listening? Global Voices Online » Mario Duran http://img.globalvoicesonline.org/Logos/GV-Logo-Vertical/gv-logo-below-square-144.gif http://globalvoicesonline.org Bolivia: Conflicts in Sucre Over New Constitution http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/26/bolivia-conflicts-in-sucre-over-new-constitution/ http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/26/bolivia-conflicts-in-sucre-over-new-constitution/#comments Mon, 26 Nov 2007 22:29:32 +0000 Mario Duran http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/26/bolivia-conflicts-in-sucre-over-new-constitution/ In the city of Sucre, confrontations between citizens and police claimed the lives of four Bolivians, including one police officer. Many were protesting the issue of the national capital, which according to the Constitutional belongs in Sucre. However, La Paz currently contains the seat of government.

The Constituent Assembly, which has been tasked to write a new Magna Carta has also been unable to reach a consensus. In a surprise turn of events, the delegates from the government party re-convened in a heavily guarded military base where they approved the final text of the proposed Constitution without the presence of opposition delegates. Bolivian bloggers based in Sucre and across the country commented on the violence and the tactics used by the majority party.

The blogger Ermapelo of Ciudad de Patas [es], from Sucre narrates (and continues to do so) about what is happening in Sucre, when the plenary session convened:

3:15 PM Se instala la Asamblea Constituyente en la guarnición MILITAR Tte. Edmundo Andrade.

3:45 PM Despues de la llamada en lista se evidencia que existen 144 asambleístas de 256.

4:21 PM Se anuncia en la Asamblea que pasaran por bancadas el proyecto de Constitución del MAS

4:25 PM Ciudadanos Sucrenses estan a 1 KM de donde se encuentran los campesinos y ciudadanos del Alto los mismo que estan en custodia del Cuartel Militar Tte. Edmundo Andrade

SE modifica el orden del día como era de preveerse estamos a MINUTOS de parir una Constitución que no es el sentir de todos l@s Bolivian@s y SOBRE TODO ILEGAL

DESACATO A CUALQUIER DETERMINACIÓN DE LA ASAMBLEA.

3:15 PM The Constituent Assembly convenes in the MILITARY base Tte. Edmundo Andrade

3:45 PM After roll call, it appears that 144 of the 256 delegates are present.

4:21 PM It is announced that the Constitutional proposal from MAS will be distributed according to party grouping

4:25 PM Citizens from Sucre are located 1 KM from where the peasants and citizens from El Alto are located, and are the same that are guarding the Military Base Tte. Edmundo Andrade.

The order of the day was modified and we are MINUTES from receiving a Constitution that was not the will of all Bolivians and ABOVE ALL ILLEGAL.

I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE DECISION OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Hours after the confrontations between police and the Sucre population began, the blog Sucre Resiste [es] wrote about the death of the lawyer, Gonzalo Duran Carranzani:

Alrededor de las 17 horas del día sábado 24 de noviembre se dio el reporte del primer muerto por la confrontación entre policías y la población sucrense en la zona de la “Calancha”, lugar cercano al Liceo Militar “Teniente Edmundo Andrade”, donde sesiona la Asamblea Constituyente. En el hospital Santa Bárbara se oficializó el deceso de Gonzalo Duran Carazani de profesión abogado de 29 años de edad quien falleció por impacto de bala en la región del pectoral izquierdo. La noticia consternó a la ciudadanía sucrense en general, y los ánimos se exasperaron más y los conflictos prosiguieron en la zona de la Calancha. La sesión de la Asamblea Constituyente prosigue tras un cuarto intermedio breve en el interior del Liceo Militar.

Around 5 pm on Saturday, November 24 the first death from the confrontation between the police and the population was announced in the area of “Calancaha” which is close to the Military base “Teniente Edmundo Andrade”, where the Constituent Assembly is meeting. In the Santa Bárbara hospital, the death of Gonzalo Duran Caranzani, a 29-year-old lawyer was announced. His death was caused by a bullet that struck his left chest. The news affected the population of Sucre and spirits became even more desperate, and the conflicts continued in the Calancha neighborhood. The Constituent Assembly session continued after a brief break inside the Military Base.

Photo by Poeta Fantasma

Another blogger based in Sucre, Poemas de un Fantasma [es] provides eye-witness photographs of the scenery and writes in response to a comment:

Aquí en sucre la mayoría de la gente que salió a protestar eran personas de escasos recursos, campesinos que creyeron que no era necesario sesionar en un cuartel y aprobar una constitución hecha entre fusiles como se hacía en las dictaduras que tanto golpearon y dañaron a Bolivia, estudiantes que apenas tienen para comer.

Here in Sucre, the majority of people that went out into the streets to protest were people with very little money, students with very little to eat, and peasants that thought that it was not necessary convene the assembly in a military base and approve a Constitution created guarded by rifles, which was done during a hurtful time of dictatorships.

As the hours passed, bloggers continued to pay close to attention to what was happening in Sucre. From Santa Cruz, Joup [es]listened to the online radio station from Sucre and placed the blame on the politicians.

Claro como ellos estarán sentados cómodos en sus sillas junto a la tele y teléfonos, como no serán los que tengan que llora a los muertos! que les importa! son unos malditos políticos de mierda incapaces!!!

Since they are sitting comfortably in their chairs watching television and next to their telephones, as they are not the ones that have to mourn the dead! What do they care? They are some incapable pieces of shit politicians!!!

The blog Aeromental [es] provides a summary, which includes a video of what happened in Sucre:

La nueva Constitución Política del Estado fue aprobada a las 20:30 de anoche con 136 votos de los 138 constituyentes presentes en la sesión, pues sólo dos se abstuvieron de aceptarla. Esta decisión fue asumida pese a que horas antes, constituyentes oficialistas confirmaron que no tenían planificada esta aprobación debido a que debían terminar de considerar los informes presentados por las 21 comisiones. Después, la Comisión de Integración y Compatibilización de Informes debía analizar el texto global y ponerlo en consideración del plenario, para poder recién en esa instancia aprobar el informe en grande.

The new Constitution was approved last at 10:30 p.m. with 136 votes out of the 138 delegates present during the session. Only two abstained from accepting the text. This decision was made even though only hour before, the delegates from the government party, stated that they did not plan to approve because they still had to consider the reports presented by the 21 commissions. This would have been followed by the Integration and Compatibility Commission to analyze the overall text and put the text in consideration of the larger assembly so that they can approve the report in full session.

From Oruro, Hugo Miranda of Angel Caido [es] provides the opinion that the draft should be put before a pre-Constitutent Assembly.

La aprobacion en Detalle de este texto Constitucional lo cual no sera facil y poco menos que imposible en la actual situacion. Otro tal vez ir a Referendum y que el pueblo boliviano decida…., la opcion mas inteligente seria que El Gobierno reconozca que se equivoco y se llame a un proceso Preconstitucional, lo que significaria que Evo no seria reelecto inmediatamente y a mi parecer descolocaria a los actuales opositores, pero siendo sincero el Gobierno no es tan inteligente para hacerlo.

The approval in detail of this Constitutional text will not be easy, or next to impossible under these current circumstances. Another option might be to send the Constitution to a referendum so the Bolivian people decide….the smartest option would be for the government to acknowledge that it made a mistake and call for a pre-Constitutional Assembly process, which would mean that Evo would not be reelected immediately and would get rid of the current opposition, but to be honest, the government is not smart enough to do that.

From Santa Cruz, Carlos Orias provides a description of what happened in Sucre and reflects on the state of things. He was also onhand to witness protests in Santa Cruz.

A lo largo de este último periodo de inestabilidad política no había visto ninguna de las dos cosas y ambas me parecen indefendibles. Empezar a matar, aunque se trate de perros, y usar botellas con gasolina en una manifestación son dos mensajes políticos preocupantes. Las campanas de la Catedral siguen sonando, son casi las 5am. Donde están los medios? Les ganaron los extremos?

During this last period of political instability, neither of the two things have been seen and to me, both seem non-defendible. To begin to kill, even though tehy are dogs, and to use bottles with gasoline during a protest are two worrisome political messages. The bells of the Cathedral continue to ring, and it is almost 5 am. Where is the media? Did the extremists win?

From El Alto, Mario and Jaime Duran record a podcast about what happened in Sucre and provides perspectives regarding the actions of Evo Morales and the opposition:

Al final,la aprobacion en grande del texto de la nueva Constitucion Politica del Estado fue una victoria del MAS y nos muestra la incapacidad de la oposicion para debatir.

In the end, the overall approval of the text of the new country's Constitution was a victory for MAS and it shows the incapacity of the opposition to debate.

Meyly, another blogger in Sucre responds to the government that wants to celebrate the new Constitution:

Ahora pide que el pueblo boliviano festeje por SU Nueva Constitución, entonces, nosotros no somos y no pertenecemos a ese pueblo boliviano al que usted cree gobernar porque tenemos LUTO EN LA CIUDAD DE SUCRE.

Now (the government) is asking the Bolivian people to celebrate ITS new Constitution, we are not and do not belong to that Bolivian people that you think you are governing, because we ARE IN MOURNING IN THE CITY OF SUCRE.

]]> http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/26/bolivia-conflicts-in-sucre-over-new-constitution/feed/ 2 Bolivia: A Previous Encounter with the Victim and the Problem With the Fashion Society http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/02/bolivia-a-previous-encounter-with-the-victim-and-the-fashion-society/ http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/02/bolivia-a-previous-encounter-with-the-victim-and-the-fashion-society/#comments Mon, 02 Jul 2007 04:25:28 +0000 Mario Duran http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/02/bolivia-a-previous-encounter-with-the-victim-and-the-fashion-society/ El Deber is a Santa Cruz newspaper that has been heavily using blogs as a way to communicate, Jose Andres Sanchez writes about prostituion in Santa Cruz in his blog El Pais de las Maravillas [ES]. According to him, this business makes no distinction in social classes and writes about the news of the murder of a 'supposed' pimp and a previous encounter with him for a story:

La noche del martes el ciudadano Jorge Adolfo Perales Sosa, de 49 años, fue asesinado con seis balazos. Dos de esos disparos le perforaron el corazón. Al llegar los policías, descubrieron un catálogo fotográfico con imágenes de jóvenes modelos de la ciudad. Entonces surgió la pregunta: ¿se trata de un proxeneta? ¿es éste uno de los famosos catálogos de los que tanto se habla? Ocurrió durante la noche y los medios televisivos brindaron una amplia cobertura al hecho policial.

A mí la noticia me sorprendió en lo personal y no pude dejar de sentir asombro y a la vez algo parecido a la tristeza. En febrero de este año conocí a Perales Sosa. Fue en el marco de una investigación realizada, acerca de comercio sexual infantil en Santa Cruz de la Sierra. A continuación les dejo un texto mío que mañana saldrá publicado en El Deber. Es una descripción de la manera en la que Perales realizaba sus negocios.

Tuesday night, Jorge Adolfo Perales Sosa (49) was murdered with six bullets. Two of the bullets entered his heart. When the police arrived, they discovered a photo catalog with images of young models from the city. The question emerged: was he a pimp? Is this one of those famous catalogs that has been talked about? It happened at night and the the television channels gave broad coverage of this police action.

The news surprised me personally and I could not help but feel surprised, but also saddened. In February of this year, I met Perales Sosa. It was during an investigation about child prostitution in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The following is the rest of a story that will be published in El Deber, in which it described the way Perales went about his business.

The blogger Don Juan de Sarco of Dies, Nox et Omnia [ES] reflects on the purchase of the Petrobras refineries by the Evo Morales government:

Confiamos que ésta empresa no se manejará pólíticamente (ni sindicalmente), y ojalá las decisiones técnicas de los administradores sean escuchadas y respetadas por los políticos (aunque no siempre sean entendidas) y que ésta nacionalización jamás sirva para subvencionar los precios de los carburantes a algunos sectores acostumbrados a exigir todos los servicios a título gratuito.

We hope that this company will not be run politically (or by syndicates) and hopefully the technical decisions made by the administrators will be followed and respected by the politicians (even though they are not always understood) and that this nationalization will never serve to subsidize the price of fuels to benefit some sectors that are used to demand free services.

Desnudate's [ES] Violeta writes about the trend of asking for one's ethnic origins. She also questions the “fashion society” of Santa Cruz and reflects on a recent television program that asked girls, “with what ethnicity do you identify with?”

Y la mejor respuesta: NO SE, obviamente no sabían ni siquiera que es una etnia (en la cara se les notaba), pero para compensar el reportero les pidió unos pasitos de baile, y wuauuu!!…. como saben mover el trasero!, imagino que muchos en algún momento de sus vidas dijeron: “cambio cerebro por un buen trasero que me permita bailar reggaeton, o por unas siliconas, o por una cerveza” y se les cumplió el deseo jaja

The best answer is: I don't know. Obviously they don't even know what ethnicity is (it noted on their faces), but to compensate the reporter asked for some dance steps and wow!! How they moved their behinds! I imagine that at some point in their lives, many said, “I'll exchange my brains for a nice behind that allows me to dance reggaeton or for some silicon or for some beer,” and their wish was granted.

]]> http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/07/02/bolivia-a-previous-encounter-with-the-victim-and-the-fashion-society/feed/ 1 Bolivia: Troubles with the Constitutional Tribunal and a Bittersweet Mother's Day http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/28/bolivia-troubles-with-the-constitutional-tribunal-and-a-bittersweet-mothers-day/ http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/28/bolivia-troubles-with-the-constitutional-tribunal-and-a-bittersweet-mothers-day/#comments Mon, 28 May 2007 11:47:02 +0000 Mario Duran http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/28/bolivia-troubles-with-the-constitutional-tribunal-and-a-bittersweet-mothers-day/ This week in Bolivia, the political agenda was marked by the situation involving President Evo Morales and the Constitutional Tribunal, which is in charge of enforcing the Constitution. From the collective blog Katari [ES], Wilder Nina Quispe writes:

En la mayoría de los Estados Democráticos modernos incluyendo el boliviano aceptamos como un incuestionable dato del sistema institucional que los jueces constitucionales (Tribunal Constitucional) revisen los actos del Poder Legislativo o del Poder Ejecutivo y que, en caso de encontrar sus decisiones constitucionalmente discutibles, las expulsen del ordenamiento jurídico nacional, constituyéndose de esta manera en legisladores negativos. Sin embargo, el hecho de dejar este extraordinario poder en manos de cinco jueces no resulta obvia o naturalmente aceptable. Menos aún, en el marco de un sistema republicano y democrático en el que las decisiones deben reflejar una voluntad mayoritaria de la población.(Leer +)

In the majority of the democratic modern states including Bolivia, we accept as an unquestionable part of this institutional system is that the Constitutional judges (Constitutional Tribunal) review the actions of the Legislative and Executive branches. In the event that they find their decisions to be constitutionally questionable, then they expulse the national ordinance, in which they become negative legislators. However, leaving this duty in the hands of five judges is obviously unacceptable. In the framework of a republican and democratic system, the decisions must reflect the will of the majority of the people.

The anonymous blogger that identifies with Guayaramerin a city in the Bolivian Amazon, questions the nationalization of the Morales administration. In Guayaramerin Analytica [ES] he/she says that:

Si se hiciera una análisis correcto de lo que está haciendo en nuestro gobierno, se llegaría a la conclusión de que no es una nacionalización en el sentido estricto de la palabra . Es simplemente, la recuperación de impuestos – el aumento de regalías de las que tanto habló Evo durante su campaña electoral - y de manejo de ciertas cosas claves como quién exporta, quién comercializa, cómo se hace el mecanismo de manejo directo de los recursos naturales, Pero eso no quiere decir que las empresas extranjeras salgan de Bolivia. (leer +)

If one would make a correct analysis of what our government is doing, one would reach the conclusion that it is not a nationalization in the strictest of the sense. It is simply a recuperation of taxes - the increase of royalties that Evo spoke about in his electoral campaign - and the management of certain key things such as who is able to export, who is able to sell, and about the direct management of the natural resources. All of this does not mean that the foreign companies leave Bolivia.

The anonymous blogger “E” observes the appearance of transvestites in the streets of Santa Cruz and asks about their rights.

1. Si hay un numero cada vez mas grande de travestis, ¿significa que hay una demanda mayor de hombres “heterosexuales” que quieren tener fantasías con los mismo?
2. ¿Es lucrativa la vida de prostitución que llevan los travestis?, ¿o es que la situación económica esta tan jodida que muchos de ellos se ven obligados a prostituirse?
3. ¿Quienes o que ejercen el control de sanidad de esta población activamente sexual?
4. Sus presencias son un índice de que ¿existe mayor tolerancia en la orientación sexual en nuestra ciudad?, ¿o que la ciudad esta en una degeneración de valores y actitudes?
5. ¿Debemos tener en nuestra ciudad “zonas rosas” como en Holanda? ( Leer +)

1. If there is a an increase in the number of transvestites, does that mean that there is a higher demand of heterosexual men that want fantasies with them?
2. Is it lucrative the life of a transvestite prostitute? Or is the economic situation so poor that many of them are obligate to prostitute themselves?
3. Who controls the sanitative control of this sexually active population?
4. Does their presence signify a higher tolerance in sexual orientation in our city? Or is our city passing through a degeneration of values and attitudes?
5. Should we have our own “red light districts” like they have in Holland?

In La Paz, the 5th International Meeting of Historietas? took place and each member of this community showed the good, the bad and the ugly of this event, through their own blogs. Joaquin Cuevas, one of the organizers of the meeting writes:

Por supuesto los organizadores aceptamos sus críticas, pero defendemos nuestro trabajo con garras y dientes (blog del Marco Tóxico ). Pronto yo también subiré mi balance y fotitos. Ahora me toca dormir un poco y comer bien, que es algo que en estas semanas he descuidado. También me toca dibujar algo pal blog y leer las alucinantes publicaciones que adquirí en el evento. (Leer +)

Of course the organizers accept criticisms, but we'll defend our work with tooth and nail (blog of Marco Toxico). I will soon upload my take and photos. Now it is time to sleep a bit and eat well, which is something that we have neglected during the past weeks. I also need to draw something for my blog and read some of the wonderful publications that I bought at the event.

To finish, on May 27 Bolivia celebrated Mother's Day. Alejandra Gomez Suarez explains why we celebrate that date.

Hace 195 años un grupo de mujeres defendió con sus vidas la patria que recién emergía en una proeza que recordamos hasta hoy como las Heroínas de La Coronilla. Hoy les dedicamos la conmemoración del Día de la Madre. El 27 de mayo de 1926 se estrenó el Monumento a las Heroínas y fue contemplado por primera vez por los habitantes de Cochabamba. A mi esta fecha me trae muchos recuerdos tristes…..primero por que no tengo a mi madre cerca mío…y cuando la tuve no supe apreciar su compañia.Y segundo que me encuentro muy lejos de mi país…y estas fechas son las indicadas para que me consuma la nostalia. ( Leer +)

One hundred and ninety five years ago, a group of women defended their country with their lives, which were remembered as the Heroines of the Coronilla. Today we dedicate the commemoration of Mother's Day. On May 27, 1926, the Monument to the Heroines was unveiled to the residents of Cochabamba. This day, for me, brings many sad memories because I do not have my mother with me, and when she was with me I did not appreciate her company. I also am far from my own country and these dates are precisely the ones that consumes me with nostalgia.

]]> http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/28/bolivia-troubles-with-the-constitutional-tribunal-and-a-bittersweet-mothers-day/feed/ 0 Bolivia: The Work of the Constituent Assembly and Government Regulations http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/14/bolivia-the-work-of-the-constituent-assembly-and-government-regulations/ http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/14/bolivia-the-work-of-the-constituent-assembly-and-government-regulations/#comments Mon, 14 May 2007 14:27:36 +0000 Mario Duran http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/14/bolivia-the-work-of-the-constituent-assembly-and-government-regulations/ [Editor's Note: We welcome Mario Duran, who was featured in this Global Voices interview, as a new author covering the Bolivian blogosphere. This is his first contribution to the site.]

Many things have been happening in the Bolivian blogosphere, such as concerns over the work of the Constituent Assembly. In the nine months since its inauguration, not a single article has been written. The delegates are even demanding a time extension to continue working. Hugo Miranda of Angel Caido [ES] writes:

que se les puede pedir a gente que solo asiste 3 dias a la semana a Sucre (martes, miercoles, jueves), que no tiene ni la minima idea de lo que es una CONSTITUCION, que gana 10 000 palos (sin contar asesores, que son MUY BUENOS), que ni asiste a sus comisiones, gente que lo unico bueno que hizo hasta hoy es apadrinar promociones y unos cuantos campeonatos de Futsal, voly y demas…

What else could you ask for from people that only work three days a week in Sucre (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays), and that do not have the slightest idea of what it is to write a CONSTITUTION. They earn 10,000 Bolivianos - national currency (without counting their EXCELLENT advisors), yet do not even attend committee meetings. They are only good for sponsoring and attending graduations and some indoor football and volleyball tournaments.

The social conflicts in Bolivia motivated Guccio’s Gustavo Machiado to talk about the import of used clothing from the United States and the prohibition established by the Evo Morales administration. He wonders whether Bolivia actually has a national industry and whether the internal market provides sufficient economic capacity. He writes:

Pienso que el problema aquí, mas que ser un problema de oferta es un problema de demanda y de ahí que encuentro absurda la idea de reconversión que postula el gobierno. ¿Realmente habrá una demanda de ropa nueva en Bolivia? ¿No será que la gente compra ropa usada porque su presupuesto no le alcanza para comprar ropa nueva o por ahí aun siendo usada es de mejor calidad que la nueva (made in Bolivia claro)?

I think the problem here, is that it is more than a problem of supply, rather a problem of demand and the absurdity of this change of stance of the government. Is there really a demand of new clothing in Bolivia? Would it be that people purchase used clothing because their budget does not stretch to buy new clothing or that used clothing might be of better quality than the new clothing (made in Bolivia of course)?

Andres Pucci declares his support for the measure adopted by the Forestry Superintendency [ES] that prohibits the export of sawn wood, which foments the processing of this material, and he writes:

Esta medida de sólo exportar ciertas especies (no todas) trabajadas es excelente, de lo mejor que se ha hecho este gobierno, obligará a empresarios a usar la cabeza, a contratar ingenieros, técnicos, obreros, contadores, camioneros, montacarguistas, cargadores y demás, aparte de comprar maquinaria a los excelentes fabricantes de maquinaria para procesar madera que existe en bolivia (ej. Sansetenea en Cbba.)

This restriction of allowing the export of certain types of wood (not all) is excellent, and it is one of the best things that this government has done. It forces the businessmen to use their heads and to hire engineers, technicians, workers, accountants, truckers, loaders and others, in addition to purchase machinery for the excellent factories to process the wood that exists in Bolivia. (i.e. Sansetenea in Cochabamba).

From Palabras Libres, Mario Duran also questions the worker aristocracy (teachers and health care workers) who in addition to having a neverending supply of benefits they continue to ask for more and he proposes that:

El gobierno debería considerar declarar al magisterio, como profesión libre e incluir a los profesionales en salud al estatuto del funcionario público, dicha medida precautelara derechos básicos de las personas, el acceso a la educación y la salud.

The government should consider declaring teaching as a free profession and include the health care workers into the public employee statute, which would protect the basic human rights of the access to education and health.

Translated by Eduardo Avila

]]> http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/05/14/bolivia-the-work-of-the-constituent-assembly-and-government-regulations/feed/ 2