Former Second Vice President of the Bolivian Senate Jeanine Añez was sworn in as new president of Bolivia as of last week after the resignation and exile of Evo Morales along with other Bolivian politicians ultimately striving to "unite the country and restore it to the path" saying to reporters. So far according to critics she has done the complete opposite.
Recently, this past Thursday as a way to restore order to the country Añez "issued a presidential decree exempting the military from criminal prosecution." The next day coca farmers were protesting against the government in the city of Cochabamba where police opened fire on many protesters resulting in several injuries and 9 deaths.
Unlike former president Evo Morales, Añez is Catholic and she has made it a priority to have Catholicism as part of the government by "swearing in her ministers in front of a large Bible and making speeches shadowed by an aide carrying a cross." For the majority of Bolivia the main religion is Christianity however, Catholicism within politics is often associated with the conservative governments that were notorious for treating the indigenous population like second class citizens. This transition creates discomfort for the rather large indigenous population in Bolivia based on the history of Catholic based governments as well as how the constitution of Bolivia is classified as secular.
Since being sworn in she has altered foreign policy by appointing a new foreign minister, Karen Longaric and has immediately cut ties with the alliances of former president Evo Morales such as President Maduro of Venezuela and Cuba. Recently deporting hundreds of Cuban doctors working in the country ultimately breaking off any socialist alliances with Bolivia.
Some questions:
1) If Añez's goal is to unify the country, is breaking off all the alliances that are affiliated with Evo Morales aligned in the best interests of Bolivia?
2) How will Añez's Catholic backed government overall affect the prominent indigenous population of Bolivia overtime?
3) Will Añez be successful in creating a transparent election process? Why or why not?
It appears as if many of the policies of Añez are almost completely opposite to the democratic system we have in the United States. She gave special exemption to the military from criminal prosecution, which would actually promote corruption among the military. Also, by making Catholicism such a high priority in her government, she has alienized many of her citizens. This is very different from the freedom of religion we cherish in the US. Furthermore, by cutting former ties with Venezuela and Cuba, she has made more enemies with foreign countries. Añez does not seem to be thinking about her citizens as she makes policy decisions, as she has alienated many and created a lot of sudden change.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting how there is no separation of church and state. Being exposed to it all of my life, it almost seems unheard of from my perspective. Not only will this policy not work for all of her citizens, as it says that she strongly believes in incorporating catholicism into her government, but there are other policies where she was not taking int account her majority of citizens.
ReplyDelete2. From what it seems Anez's leadership is looking more and more like a dictatorship. For the indigenous people, I think that at some point soon they will be forced to convert to Catholicism. Based on how she is giving immunity to the military, it seems like she wants them on her side to create a dictatorship. Her cutting ties will lead to Bolivia being an unpopular country amount fellow South American nations, and easier for her to enact a dictatorship. - Matthew Pilch
ReplyDelete2. It is very easy to see how this sudden change to a religious government could lead to the marginalization of indigenous people or even any non-Catholics. Designating an official religion does the opposite of uniting a country. Anez will likely make an effort to have all important government officials be Catholic, which will make it so that non-Catholics have little protection or voice in this new government.
ReplyDelete1) If Añez's goal is to unify the country, is breaking off all the alliances that are affiliated with Evo Morales aligned in the best interests of Bolivia?
ReplyDeleteIt is not because it create enemies with the other countries, plus not getting support from them. Instead of breaking all ties with alliance Morales had she had to think much more carefully of her action to benefit more her country economically and for the people.
2) How will Añez's Catholic backed government overall affect the prominent indigenous population of Bolivia overtime?
It will create a Trust issue with the population of the indigenous, due to them thinking or being treated like second hand people. Their belief will change by the government action, in them not being a citizen to bolivia but instead second class. Having religion correlated with the presidency isn’t the best action due to biases in just preferenving that group and not the other groups need nor gestion that oppose their beliefs.
3) Will Añez be successful in creating a transparent election process? Why or why not? I feel like she will not, due to her action stated before. She will probably become corrupt in power as many south american president due. Her recklessness just shows that she will need support to survive the presidency, but at what cost.
2) Añez's Catholic based government effectively alienates the indigenous population of Bolivia. Catholic-based governments, as the article said, have a tendency to treat indigenous people as second-hand citizens, and it is unfortunately usually the case that indigenous people cannot take a lot of political action against the Catholic oppressors. Further, over time, the Catholic form of government will become normalized in the eyes of everyone, which only reinforces the fact that indigenous populations will be excluded from society and their country will move farther and farther from being secular.
ReplyDelete2. By shifting a previously secular/non-religious government into a Catholic based government, the indigenous people in Bolivia will most likely be the majority of victims in a government like this. Añez's decision to drastically alter the government will create a low trust rate amongst the population, and will lower the diversity of the nation as well.
ReplyDelete2) How will Añez's Catholic backed government overall affect the prominent indigenous population of Bolivia overtime?
ReplyDeleteHer Catholicism will cause a lot of conflict within Bolivia. Since many indigenous Bolivians are Christian, there can be a lack of trust and tension with the government and its citizens. As we have already seen, the government is not afraid to fight back against protestors.
Añez's Catholic would likely effect the indigenous population negatively as indigenous populations historically treated the indigenous population as 2nd class citizens. The overall equality in Bolivia would decrease, going against any progress they are making. The indigenous population would protest against further inequality, leading to overall more inequality in Bolivia. In conclusion, the catholic based government is harmful and would lead to more turmoil overtime.
ReplyDelete