Dueling autonomies split Bolivia

An indigenous woman celebrates a 2006 ceremony launching a controversial attempt to rewrite Bolivia's constitution.

Three weeks from the May 4 autonomy referendum scheduled by Bolivia's richest province Santa Cruz, President Evo Morales has hit back against what he has said is an illegal effort to split this 9 million-person country.

On Saturday, the Morales government recognized the autonomy of five indigenous communities, meaning they will enjoy some lawmaking and budgetary independence from his central government. Such autonomies are not permitted by existing legislation.

Speaking at the declaration ceremony in the city of Santa Cruz, Vice President Álvaro Garcia Linera said they were instead sanctioned by the recently passed United Nations Declaration of Indigenous Rights. He has at the same time condemned the efforts of Santa Cruz and three other provinces to claim similar autonomy rights.

The move promises to raise already-high tensions in advance of the May 4 vote, which Santa Cruz leaders have sworn will not be put off. A militant indigenous group known as the Red Ponchos allied to Morales has promised to march in Santa Cruz against the referendum. Militant youth in the province have meanwhile promised to defend their autonomy by force if necessary.

While Morales has pledged not to send troops into the province to stop the autonomy referendum, the possibility of violence breaking out is growing. The Organization of American States as well as neighboring Brazil have all sent diplomats into Bolivia to try to mediate between the two sides, so far to no avail. Read about those efforts here.