Bolivia

Morales declares victory, rebel governors too.

Article published on the 2008-08-11 Latest update 2008-08-11 09:05 TU

Bolivian President Evo Morales greets supporters.
(Photo: Reuters)

Bolivian President Evo Morales declared that he would pursue an agenda of nationalisation of major industry and natural resources after winning a referendum in a landslide on Sunday evening. But Morales’ rivals, the four rebel governors who are pushing for autonomy for their states, also had their mandates confirmed by wide margins.

“Your vote consolidated the process of change,” Morales told a crowd gathered in La Paz. “We are here to continue recovering natural resources and the consolidation of nationalisation.”

Morales, who needed 47 per cent to confirm his mandate, received 63 percent in an overwhelming show of support. But in the gas-rich eastern lowlands, where Morales’ socialist reforms have been soundly rejected in popular referendums, his rule was just as soundly rejected.

The governors of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Pando and Beni also celebrated their victories Sunday. Ruben Costas of Santa Cruz spoke out against Morales’ “dictatorship” and vowed that the president is not welcome in his state.

One leader did, however, have his mandate rejected.

Exit polls indicate that 57 per cent of voters in Cochabamba state voted to oust Manfred Reyes from the governor's post. He vowed to fight any attempt to force him to step down in a state that has already seen violence between his supporters and Morales loyalists.