Bolivia Referendum Exposes Rift Between Rich, Poor

DOI 7 May 2008

REUTERS (SANTA CRUZ)-The cry for autonomy is strong in Bolivia's wealthy Santa Cruz province, but the poorest people here see the movement as a tactic by the rich to undercut leftist President Evo Morales. Santa Cruz voted for autonomy from the central government on Sunday in an unprecedented referendum widely seen as a rejection of Morales' policies and a challenge to his rule. A champion of indigenous rights, land reform and state control of the economy, Morales took power in 2006 and has the support of poor indigenous groups of the Andes, but he is increasingly unpopular in Bolivia's lush eastern lowlands.
Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idINN0748671220080507
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