We Stand Against the Coup in Bolivia (statement from Noam Chomsky and Vijay Prashad)

[Editor: At our meeting we, (those attending the Vancouver Ecosocialist Group meeting of Nov. 10, 2019),  agreed to endorse and post to our website and social media the denunciation below of the coup attempt against Evo Morales.

"In a sad update, it appears that the military coup against Evo Morales was successful today in forcing Morales to step down as Bolivia's president. This is a sad day for all of us who care about peace and justice. The policies that morales enacted during the 13 years of his presidency lifted millions of his fellow indigenous Bolivians out of poverty. A reversal of fortunes will likely now be in order by the racist imperialist forces that will take over in Bolivia."

It should also be noted that the Canadian government supported the coup, probably to a greater extent than just the official statements they have made on the matter.

In his farewell address, Evo said: "The capitalist system is not a solution for humanity" and vowed to continue the struggle. "La lucha sigue. Somos pueblo. Dejamos una nueva Bolivia en proceso de desarrollo. Le digo a las juventudes: sean humanos con los más humildes." - Tim Kennelly]

In response to the escalation of the coup attempt by the Bolivian right-wing opposition against the democratically elected government of Evo Morales, intellectuals Noam Chomsky and Vijay Prashad have joined people across the world in saying “The world is with Evo” (#ElMundoConEvo) and decrying the ongoing coup efforts.

Below is the statement in English and the Spanish version follows:

In Bolivia, a coup d’état is brewing against the elected government led by Evo Morales. Sections of the armed forces – including the police – have openly indicated that they are willing to allow fascistic militia groups to attack the presidential palace in La Paz. This is a very serious situation.

Evo Morales has invited the four major parties to sit down and talk about the way forward for Bolivian democracy. He has asked for the creation of a dialogue to prevent a return to the days of military dictatorships and the rule of the oligarchy. Morales has called upon the United Nations, the Organization for American States, the Vatican and others to assist in a path away from the coup.

The coup is driven by the Bolivian oligarchy, who are angered by the fourth election loss by their parties to the Movement for Socialism. The oligarchy is fully supported by the United States government, which has long been eager to remove Morales and his movement from power. For over a decade, the US embassy’s Center of Operations in La Paz has articulated the fact that it has two plans – Plan A, the coup; Plan B, assassination of Morales. This is a serious breach of the UN Charter and of all international obligations.

We stand against the coup, and with the Bolivian people. We hope that they will be able to withstand what is thrown against them in the days to come.

El Mundo Con Evo. So are we.

9 November 2019

En español

Nos oponemos al golpe

Declaración de Noam Chomsky y Vijay Prashad

En Bolivia se está gestando un golpe de Estado contra el gobierno electo liderado por Evo Morales. Sectores de la policía han dicho abiertamente que están dispuestos a permitir que grupos de milicias fascistas ataquen el palacio presidencial en La Paz. La situación es muy grave.

Evo Morales ha invitado a los cuatro principales partidos a sentarse y conversar sobre el camino a seguir para la democracia boliviana. Ha pedido el establecimiento de un diálogo para evitar el regreso de los días de las dictaduras militares y los gobiernos oligárquicos. Morales ha hecho un llamado a las Naciones Unidas, a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA), al Vaticano y a otros más para que contribuyan a encontrar el camino para alejarse del golpe.

El golpe es promovido por la oligarquía boliviana que está enojada por la cuarta elección que sus partidos pierden frente el Movimiento al Socialismo. La oligarquía cuenta con el total apoyo del gobierno de los Estados Unidos que desde hace mucho tiempo está ansioso por expulsar a Evo Morales y a su movimiento del poder. Por más de una década, el Centro de Operaciones de la embajada de Estados Unidos en La Paz ha expresado que tiene dos planes: el Plan A, un golpe de estado y el Plan B, el asesinato de Morales. Se trata de una grave violación de la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y de todas las obligaciones internacionales.

Estamos con el pueblo boliviano y nos oponemos al golpe. Esperamos que sean capaces de resistir todo lo que se les viene encima los próximos días.

El mundo con Evo. Nosotros también.

9 de noviembre de 2019

[Top photo: Evo Morales and Alvaro García Linera in a mobilization on October 28 in La Paz. Photo: Evo Morales twitter​]