Up in Smoke

Bolivia is streaking ahead in the race to become Latin America’s first failed state. It faced stiff competition from Argentina, from Venezuela and Ecuador, but now it’s in a class of its own. President Carlos Mesa announcing his resignation stated in a pitiful speech: I’m really sorry if I’ve been incapable of governing Bolivia well.” How right he was……… Bolivia really could have succeeded. Its reserves of natural gas could have generated enough money to make a far-reaching attack on poverty and social exclusion. The economy did grow and poverty has receded, but Bolivia’s elites, political parties and institutions failed to mature. Nationalizing the gas industry will further isolate Bolivia and ensure that most of its gas stays in the ground. Limited exports will benefit only a clique of corrupt bureaucrats and politicians. Latin America’s narcomafias are descending on Bolivia as are every political opportunist around, led by Hugo Chávez of Venezuela. Chaos and corruption will accelerate regional, social, and ethnic fragmentation, creating an unstable state in the very heart of Latin America. It’s time Latin America’s sane leaders – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil or Tabaré Vázques of Uruguay – stepped in to calm the hysteria in La Paz.