I’m Miguel Centellas, a political science professor at Mount St. Mary’s University. Because of academic interests, I post frequently on Bolivian politics. I also occasionally discuss interesting books, pop culture, and daily life in Baltimore.
Things seem to have calmed down in Bolivia. The conflict’s certainly not “over”—but at least there’s a respite.
I am, however, increasingly bothered by the references to the presence of Venezuelan troops in Bolivian—and particularly that this isn’t covered in the international media. Are there Venezuelan troops in Bolivia? If so, how many? And what is their purpose? Recently, elite Bolivian troops have begun training in Venezuela in “intelligence” and “urban combat.” Is Venezuela opening its own School of the Americas? This is particularly troubling since Chávez recently threatened to turn Bolivian into another “Vietnam.”
I have another question: What's up with the military leadership of the forces stationed in Santa Cruz. The Bolivian Air Force is stationed there and the military has elite groups, the so called rangers there. These leadership are pretty much members of the well-to-do class in Santa Cruz. Are they with Morales? I would have thought they are with Santa Cruz.
This is all speculation, of course. But I wonder if it's meaningful that the airport assault was done (by most accounts) by troops flown in from La Paz.
Whats up with the question, MABB? I would hope that the military would be, as constitutionally mandated, with the President.
Centellas, I believe all of this military aid and presence has been duly noted in the treaties signed over the past year and submitted to Congress (I think also approved).
Why is there no media scandal? I guess you're right, its suspicious that the international media aren't squeezing some juice out of this non-story.
Posted by
Kausachun Coca y Gringos
October 20, 2007 9:53 PM
Actually, from my family & friends, I hear that there are many rumors about Venezuelan troops in Bolivia. I'm well aware of treaties (and, frankly, the one that gives Venezuela the "right" to intervene in Bolivian affairs signed in 2006 is troubling enough). But I'd like to see more investigative reporting on the issue. Otherwise, the rumor mills swirl.
"rumor' here was Venezuelan troops; during the militarization period a Venezuelan plane flew in and unfortunately many (including me) bought the rumor that Venezuela must be invading as it had threatened. Evidently it was not troops, but a group of some Venezuelan military scholarship group, but still there is quite a bit of suspicion surrounding the Venezuelan planes that come and go without much information regarding their mission. Last Thursday night was quite a night as we watched channels from La Paz and Santa Cruz very strong stating their cases for their actions/reactions.
Posted by
mom
October 20, 2007 11:10 PM
Yea, it would be nice to get more real facts. Eduardo Avila's comment in your last post was informative, putting the claims of a "Venezuelan landing" into context. But of course Unitel and the newspapers would rather play up an angle than explain things. That's why I tend to ignore them on first reading.
Posted by
Kausachun Coca y Gringos
October 20, 2007 11:11 PM
We should not be so naïve about thinking the Venezuelans where there without knowing this was going to happen, it will be like romanticizing that the military are just a bunch of gorillas with no brains and not communication and organization capabilities. That will be a tremendous mistake by those worried about democracy and civil liberties in the country.
Regarding the presence of Venezuelan military, living in Bolivia I have not seen them in the streets as I have seen the Cubans; but you let them grow a little hair, wear civilian clothes and listen more than speak and you have another middle class Bolivian face in town.
By the way, that treaty allowing Venezuelan forces to enter Bolivia, “in case necessary”, passed Congress the same night it passed the first Petro Contracts, when the PODEMOS back up senators from Pando decided “mas vale pajaro en mano que cientos volando”. The Petro Contracts needed re evaluation, to bad the treaty didn’t received the same treatment.
I would hope so too that the military would firmly be under the control of the civilian authority, as the Constitution says. However, as we have seen many times, the military does not always do what it's supposed to, it also looks out for its own interests.
I went up to some of the military at Viru Viru the last time I went through and specifically asked them if the rumors were true about Venezuelan military entering the country. I was told absolutely. I believe it was also the Bolivian military that said they were bypassing normal customs, but I can't be sure; I may have heard that somewhere else.
Now, I also was surprised to see Venezuelan uniforms in the plaza Blacúd about two weeks ago. It turns out that these were firefighters brought in to help out. Their uniforms resembled blue military flight suits.
As to the loyalties of the Bolivian military in Santa Cruz, I have no doubt that they would serve their country in accordance with their constitution. That said, I get the strong impression that Mr. Morales is not convinced. Some of them flat out do not appear to like him. Any way you read it, Morales sending in military troops from La Paz, instead of a) using police from either Santa Cruz or La Paz, or b) using military from Santa Cruz, tells me that Morales himself has serious concerns about loyalty. That is troubling. He did grow up in the times of repeated military coups. Perhaps that weigh on him.
