Bolivia: Heading to reelect Evo Morales

Bolivia: Heading to reelect Evo Morales

Bolivia has changed since the first time I came here before Evo Morales was elected President. Even though class divisions continue to exist ...now it is easier to spot those who were once considered to be  "low class" traveling business class, involved in politics or even in areas of the city that were off limits to people like them.

Around 60 per cent of Bolivians identify themselves with an indian ethnic group. Ayamaras, like President Evo Morales, Qechuas and others....used to be seen as second class citizens. And they were....Even though until today they are the poorest in the country.

Elections will take place sunday and Morales will probably be re-elected as over sixty per cent of the population continues to support him. Since he took office he has worked to erase the discrimination suffered by people like him in the past. He has also  nationalised the oil and gas sector .-a move that has left Bolivia over 8 billion dollars in reserves and has taken the economy off the red. The money is being used to pay for social programmes to help the long ignored indigenous majority.

Historically, many of Bolivias natural  resources were looted by the spanish conquerors. Some say that a bridge of silver could have been built from the city of Potosi to Spain.... and another with the bones of those who died trying to extract it.

Bolivia the second gas reserves in South America after Venezuela  has lithium reserves that if exploited wisely could generate jobs, and other resources that could give this country the push it needs to help millions out of poverty.

But the there is the criticism. Mis-management  and corruption of the money generated by nationalisations, scaring foreign investors, attempting to control the judiciary among other things.

Many here acuse him of following Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez steps....It is what he does in his second term what will define how positive he was for Bolivia. Yes, he has given indigenous communities dignity back and that's one of the key reasons why many will vote for him in the coming sunday.

But he still faces the challange to unite a country that is divided along race and class lines, of ensuring that violence won't take over and of using Bolivias enormous natural resources to help the country move forward.