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  • 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.
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Holiday truce

December 18, 2007
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As expected, Bolivia has entered a holiday truce (a cuarto intermedio). No doubt things will heat up again after the New Year. But for now things are simmering down. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Lula seems to have picked the right moment to engage in a diplomatic mission. As a force of the “moderate left” in the region, he has enough gravitas to appeal both to Evo & opposition supporters. He could also pry Bolivia away from Venezuela & into the arms of Brazil. And his country’s hefty investment (US$1 billion) in Bolivia’s energy sector will help, too.

Just in time for everyone to focus on FIFA again.

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Comments

That comes back to the discussion of how soccer can unite or divide. Boosting nationalist unity through a soccer dispute is much better than starting a war!

Posted by Greg Weeks December 18, 2007 4:35 PM

    Yes, but it could also backfire. Last time I was in Bolivia, many of my Santa Cruz relatives sympathized, but wondered why the national team couldn't play in Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, or Sucre (three major cities not affected by the altitude ban). My La Paz relatives, of course, insisted that the games should be played in the capital. But a few years ago, a friend once joked that the only thing that united Bolivia was the national soccer team. Maybe he was right?

    Posted by mcentellas December 19, 2007 9:07 AM

      Hopefully the expected "Carnaval truce" will occur too. Otherwise I will wind up having several hundred dollars of worthless paper from American Airlines a month and a half from now.

      Posted by Frank IBC December 19, 2007 11:14 AM


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