Bolivia: The MAS-Aymara Bloc Strikes Back

https://consortiumnews.com/2020/10/19/socialist-luis-arce-declares-victory-in-bolivia-election/

https://news.yahoo.com/bolivia-election-voters-head-polls-193341929.html

Get ready for it to get ugly in Bolivia. The American backed 2019 coup is being democratically rolled back and the Socialists (MAS) are on the brink of returning to power.

One of two things is likely to happen. Either the US and its proxies will begin to wage a propaganda war against Arce... They'll use scandal, subterfuge, street violence, parliamentary trickery and whatever else they have to do to bring him down.

Or, they'll get him to capitulate. He'll cut a deal. The deal might be rooted in political blackmail and threat. Or he might be revealed to be yet another pseudo-left politician that's willing to compromise and receive everything from payoffs to assurances. Arce will know that he can spurn China and Germany but the US isn't going to go away and so it's in his interest to find a modus vivendi with Washington.

We'll see what happens. The election seems to be wrapped up – a rather stunning first round victory. But all the 'i's haven't been dotted nor have all the 't's been crossed.

The BBC article (provided via Yahoo) is misleading in that it fails to note that the Washington manipulated Organisation of American States (OAS) allegations of vote rigging have collapsed and the basis for Morales' ouster has been discredited. It was in fact a coup. This election only further demonstrates that a majority of the population still supports Morales' MAS Party.

But for now all eyes are on Arce and the party bureaucracy. And, will Evo Morales have a part to play? At present he stands indicted by the Right-wing regime for sedition. There's also been a vicious smear campaign attempting to paint him as some kind of deviant.

Everyone will be watching to see what Arce does regarding Morales. Will he return to Bolivia? It will be a signal, indicating the direction of his government.

Another indicator will be the response of the Roman Catholic hierarchy. Arce's government will meet with its representatives even if it's done quietly. Episcopal statements and pronouncements will also provide a clue as to the direction Bolivia is about to take.

The Christian Right in Bolivia which is comprised of Evangelicals, Pentecostals, and growing numbers of Roman Catholics are sure to respond and I look for a propaganda campaign to be rolled out – to make sure North American money starts rolling in.