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Bolivia Referendum Blocks Morales

Wednesday's front page of Bolivian daily El Debershows festivities in Santa Cruz after a constitutional reform was defeated, the first ever national setback for popular President Evo Morales. "The "No" wins and blocks Evo's quest to govern until 2025," reads the headline.


The vote took place Sunday, with final results tallied on Tuesday showing that 51% of voters rejected the proposed reform which would have allowed Morales to seek a fourth term, and run in the 2019 election. The result also prevents Vice President Alvaro Garcia from running again.

Since he was first elected in 2006, Morales — Bolivia's first indigenous president — has been credited with significantly reducing poverty in the country. But his Movement For Socialism party has recently been hit by a series of scandals. Shortly before Sunday's referendum, Morales was accused of being involved in a case of influence-peddling, reports El Diario.

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Geopolitics

D.C. Or Beijing? Two High-Stakes Trips — And Taiwan's Divided Future On The Line

Two presidents of Taiwan, the current serving president, Tsai Ing-wen, and her predecessor, Ma Ying-jeou from the opposition Kuomintang party, are traveling in opposite directions these days. Taiwan must choose whom to follow.

Photo of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan

Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, is traveling to the United States today. Not on an official trip because Taiwan is not a state recognized by Washington, but in transit, en route to Central America, a strategy that allows her to pass through New York and California.

Ma Ying-jeou, a former president of Taiwan, arrived yesterday in Shanghai: he is making a 12-day visit at the invitation of the Chinese authorities at a time of high tension between China and the United States, particularly over the fate of Taiwan.

It would be difficult to make these two trips more contrasting, as both have the merit of summarizing at a glance the decisive political battle that is coming. Presidential and legislative elections will be held in January 2024 in Taiwan, which could well determine Beijing's attitude towards the island that China claims by all means, including force.

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