2002 BOLIVIAN GENERAL ELECTION
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Bolivian gas conflictThe Bolivian Gas War (Spanish: Guerra del Gas) or Bolivian gas conflict was a social confrontation in Bolivia reaching its peak in 2003, centering on the exploitation of the country's vast natural gas reserves. The expression can be extended to refer to the general conflict in Bolivia over the exploitation of gas resources, thus including the 2005 protests and the election of Evo Morales as president. Before these protests, Bolivia had seen a series of similar earlier protests during the Cochabamba protests of 2000, which were against the privatization of the municipal water supply. The conflict had its roots in grievances over the government's economic policies concerning natural gas, as well as coca eradication policies, corruption and violent military responses against strikes. The "Bolivian gas war" thus came to a head in October 2003, leading to the resignation of President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada (aka "Goni"). Strikes and road blocks mounted by indigenous and labour groups (including the COB trade union) brought the country to a standstill. Violent suppression by the Bolivian armed forces left some 60 people dead in October 2003, mostly inhabitants of El Alto, located on the Altiplano above the seat of government La Paz. The governing coalition disintegrated forcing Goni to resign and leave the country on October 18, 2003. He was succeeded by the vice president, Carlos Mesa, who put the gas issue to a referendum on July 18, 2004. In May 2005, under duress from protesters, the Bolivian congress enacted a new hydrocarbons law, increasing the state's royalties from natural gas exploitation. However, protesters, who included Evo Morales and Felipe Quispe, demanded full nationalization of hydrocarbon resources, and the increased participation of Bolivia's indigenous majority, mainly composed of Aymaras and Quechuas, in the political life of the country. On June 6, 2005, Mesa was forced to resign as tens of thousands of protesters caused daily blockades to La Paz from the rest of the country. Morales' election at the end of 2005 was met with enthusiasm by the social movements, because he was, as the leader of left-wing MAS, one of the staunchest opponents to the exportation of the gas without corresponding industrialization in Bolivia. On May 1, 2006, President Morales signed a decree stating that all gas reserves were to be nationalized: "the state recovers ownership, possession and total and absolute control" of hydrocarbons. The 2006 announcement was met by applause on La Paz's main plaza, where Vice President Alvaro Garcia told the crowd that the government's energy-related revenue would jump US$320 million to US$780 million in 2007, continuing a trend where revenues had expanded nearly sixfold between 2002 and 2006.
Solidarity Civic UnitySolidarity Civic Unity (Spanish: Unidad Cívica Solidaridad, UCS) is a political party in Bolivia. The party was founded on 15 August 1989 by Max Fernández, and is currently led by his son, Johnny Fernández. UCS was part of the "Megacoalition" that supported the presidency of Hugo Banzer from 1997 to 2001. The coalition also included Banzer's Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN), the Revolutionary Left Movement (MIR), and Conscience of Fatherland (CONDEPA). At the 2002 Bolivian general election, the party won 5.3% of the popular vote and five out of 130 seats in the Chamber of Deputies but no Senate seats.
2005 Bolivian general electionGeneral elections were held in Bolivia on 18 December 2005. Evo Morales of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party was elected President of Bolivia with 54% of the vote, the first time a candidate had received an absolute majority since the flawed 1978 elections. Morales was sworn in on 22 January 2006 for a five-year term. The MAS also won a majority of seats in the Chamber of Deputies and emerged as the largest party in the Senate. Simultaneously voters elected prefects, the highest executive office in each of Bolivia's nine departments. This was the first time the office had been chosen at the ballot box. Subsequently, departmental elections were held separately from national elections, with the next one held in April 2010.
Manuel RochaVictor Manuel Rocha (born October 23, 1950) is a former American diplomat and United States Ambassador to Bolivia. Rocha was arrested by federal officials in December 2023 and admitted to acting as an illegal agent of Cuba for 40 years. He was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
2002 Bolivian general electionGeneral elections were held in Bolivia on 30 June 2002. As no candidate for the presidency received over 50% of the vote, the National Congress was required to elect a President. Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada was elected with 84 votes to the 43 received by Evo Morales. As of 2020, this marked the last time the MAS-IPSP lost a presidential election.
1997 Bolivian general electionGeneral elections were held in Bolivia on 1 June 1997. As no candidate for the presidency received over 50% of the vote, the National Congress was required to elect a president on 4 August. Hugo Banzer of Nationalist Democratic Action (ADN) was subsequently elected. Whilst the ADN emerged as the largest party in Congress, it failed to win a majority of seats, and formed a coalition government with the Revolutionary Left Movement, Conscience of Fatherland and the Solidarity Civic Unity.
2025 Bolivian general electionGeneral elections are scheduled to take place in Bolivia on 17 August 2025. If no candidate secures a majority, a second round will take place on 19 October 2025. Voters will elect the President of Bolivia and Vice President of Bolivia, 130 members of the Chamber of Deputies, and 36 members of the Chamber of Senators.
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