It’s hard to believe how quickly time passes. Javi is almost a month old now (and fussier by the day). The lack of sleep is starting to slowly wear me down. I still have two major projects (book manuscript, article rewrite) to finish—because in two weeks grading papers will take over my life.
Three new developments highlight the importance of regions (departments) Bolivian politics.
There’s a big brouhaha over Chavez’s recent statement that he chews coca.
Today’s La Razón has a special on six “grupos de choque” that play important roles in current Bolivian politics.
Yesterday evening, Óscar Ortiz (PODEMOS) was elected the new Senate President. The position also makes him third in line of succession; he would become interim president if Evo & Alvaro García Linera were both absent from the country (they both frequently travel).
There’s an interesting conflict brewing w/in Bolivia’s National Electoral Court (CNE). The newly appointed CNE president (José Luis Exeni) is asking the Santa Cruz regional electoral court to stop verifying the signatures for a referendum initiative. The initiative would establish a department-wide referendum on the “autonomic” statute (read text of the Santa Cruz autonomic statute).
There’s a number of reasons why my dad’s my personal hero.
Our first meal out. Photo taken from my phone.
I’ve long noticed splits between the MAS rank-and-file & Evo Morales. While Evo has, at times, been conciliatory, the rank-and-file is much more radical. Last week, Evo met w/ the country’s prefects & suggested that their autonomy statutes could be “reconciled” w/ the new draft constitution. Yesterday, MAS constituent assembly delegates made it clear to Evo that they would not modify the draft constitution.
A few weeks ago, a pro-government majority (the opposition was absent) of the Constituent Assembly (CA) approved a new draft constitution (after a last-minute change of venue). It was barely debated, and voted upon in only a few hours. This followed weeks of unrest, including four deaths in Sucre. Not surprisingly, the opposition recoiled. In response, several lowland departments announced their own “autonomy statutes” & prepared to take them to department-wide referendums.
For those of you seeking Javi updates, please check the new “Javi” category page: mcentellas.com/archives/javi/.
My mom posted some pictures of my cousin’s baby (his first, too). It’s actually a very funny story of sorts.
After a tense month (which followed several other tense months), Bolivia’s political situation shows signs of hope. Both the government & the opposition prefects (regional governors) have been meeting, w/ aims of coming to a solution that could integrate the new constitution w/ demands for regional autonomy. One standout is Pepelucho (José Luis Paredes), the opposition La Paz prefect, who’s begun challenging the government for its alleged neglect of the La Paz regional government.
A big “thank you” to everyone who called, emailed, or posted a comment of good wishes on the birth of little Javi (Javier Enrique). We’re all three of us now back home, recovering, but tired.
After 36+ hrs of labor, followed by a C-section, little Javier Enrique Centellas was finally born at 9:20pm. Weighing in at 9 lbs, 6 oz (and nearly 22 inches long!). There’s a few (of the many, many) pictures up on my Flickr. Unfortunately, the hospital doesn’t have WiFi—so some of you will have to wait for updates & new pictures. And w/ that, I’m back out to the hospital. Ciao!
Taking a very quick break for a shower & a change of clothes. But we’re in the hospital, hoping little Javi (finally!) arrives before midnight.