NOV 23 BOLIVIA HAS A NEW "PRESIDENT"

NOV 23  BOLIVIA HAS A NEW "PRESIDENT"

2019 is shaping up to be a banner year for anti-government protests. From the streets of Hong Kong, to the bazaars of Tehran to the subways of Santiago, Chile...people are violently taking their message to the streets. However, only one has resulted in immediate regime change: Bolivia. Last week, the activist-turned-dictator Evo Morales was asked kindly by the military to leave. He instantly agreed and hopped a flight to Mexico City.

The suddenness of Evo's exit left a power vacuum in La Paz. That's when Senator Jeanine Áñez stepped up. With a Bible in her hand, she made a humble plea to the people of Bolivia. "Let me be your interim president. My only objective is to hold new elections." Who could say no? So the unassuming 52 year-old Vice President of the Senate slid into office. That was one week ago. Since then, much has changed in Bolivia.

On Monday, Jeanine did a makeover to the military. On Tuesday she selected new generals and majors. Naturally, she fired all of Morales' cabinet members and replaced them with appointees of her own liking. On Wednesday, Áñez took aim at the state-owned companies that run the economy. They now have new CEO's. What a whirlwind! In short, fourteen years of Socialism was broken down in one week!

While Anez has the backing of the anti-Socialist Trump administration, other allies are few and far between. Evo Morales is an icon of the Latin American left. Venezuela, Mexico and Cuba have all issued statements denouncing Áñez  and refusing the recognize her regime. Back in Bolivia, Evo's Socialist Party still holds a majority in the Senate. In response, La Paz saw a fresh round of protests this week.  This resulted in a Presidential decree from Áñez, granting immunity to her military. On Thursday, nine protesters were shot and killed.

What began as an olive branch has evolved into a briar patch. In an attempt to soothe matters, the UN, EU and the Catholic Church have insisted on a peace conference. They want to remind Áñez that the Bolivian Constitution states that elections must be held within 90 days after the resignation of a President. She replied that elections will happen "soon." In the meantime, let's hope Jeanine delivers on her original promise. She also needs to stop tweeting. Calling Evo Morales a "poor Indian" will not solve anything!