Bolivia 2021 is Venezuela 2002, after the return of Chavez.
MAS is consolidating power, and they will solidify their grip on it in a way that will mean that nothing but a foreign army invading will dislodge them from power. You can expect to see a lot more of Evo Morales in the coming months, and you can expect, one by one, politically motivated prosecutions of any opposition figures who are seen as a viable threat. You'll see the arming and creation of paramilitary groups that take orders from MAS but aren't officially part of the government. In five to ten years, western leaders will begin calling Bolivia a dictatorship. Bolivians will start dying of heat and thirst as they trek across the desert into Chile (provided Chile doesn't fall into a similar death spiral, and that's not at all clear).
We are seeing the seeds of a humanitarian crisis and overt dictatorship planted today in Bolivia. Another project of the Sao Paulo Forum, brought to you courtesy of the Castrista dictatorship.
How can one protect democratic principles by giving free reign for those who have demonstrated their desire to abuse the democratic process in order to establish a dictatorship?
I don't think democratic principles require Germany to permit neo-nazis to run for election. I don't think democratic principles required Bolivia to permit MAS, a criminal enterprise, to continue to operate and contest elections. I don't think democratic principles will require a post-Maduro Venezuela to tolerate the continued operation of PSUV or the participation of its current members in public life in the future.
If you want to live under a liberal democracy, that liberal democracy requires a defense.
I wonder if liberals will ever learn. Eventually these monsters will establish a new soviet union that spans from punta arenas to Tijuana, and nothing but force will stop them.
I am reminded of a Colombian slogan: Mano firme, corazón grande. Añez has a big heart, but she lacked a firm hand.
