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BOLIVIA
Massive land reform passed
By
LeiLani Dowell
Published Dec 8, 2006 10:48 PM
Bolivian President Evo Morales signed into law several
progressive measures on Nov. 28, including a bill to reclaim tens
of thousands of square kilometers of unproductive land from
wealthy farmers.
The law will allow the redistribution of land in the eastern
lowlands region to poor landless farmers, and states that land
whose use is against the collective interest will be taken
without compensation. The Inter Press Service reports that
between 60 and 70 percent of the country’s farmland is
owned by a handful of families. (Nov. 29)
More than 4,000 Indigenous people had marched on the capital city
of La Paz to demand its passage; three died during the march, two
of a suspicious car accident, one by lightning.
The measure was passed despite political maneuvering by the
opposition parties to block it by boycotting the 27-member
Senate, making it impossible to reach the 14-seat quorum needed
to meet. However, after Morales threatened to pass the law by
presidential decree, three opposition senators returned to the
table with the 12 senators from Morales’ Movement Towards
Socialism party.
In addition to the land reform bill, contracts were passed with
10 foreign oil companies, in relation to the nationalization of
Bolivia’s natural gas reserves; and an economic cooperation
agreement with Venezuela was approved. Morales also announced
plans for other measures, such as nationalizing Bolivia’s
tin and mineral mines.
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