Bolivia: The democratic revolution Hugo JosĂŠ SuĂĄrez
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At the same time, both the right-wing and the MAS prefects were ratified in their positions with different percentages. In some cases, as in Santa Cruz (the most important department of opposition) the backing of the prefect Ruben Costas was 66%; in other regions, like in Potosi, the support of the prefect Mario Verreira (a MAS militant) was 79%, representing the highest percentage of support at the national level. The prefects of La Paz, Jose Luis Paredes, and of Cochabamba, Manfred Reyes Villa, were recalled. Both were representatives of the traditional parties of the Bolivian right, accused of illicit dealings and corruption throughout their political careers. Based on the results of the referendum, it can be affirmed that there is no region in the country that does not have an ample human base that is in favour of the president and his project of change, although the percentage varies according to the regions (as happens anywhere in the world). In the history of Bolivia, there has never been a social project that has achieved such a level of consensus. No political program, no leader, has achieved what Evo Morales has. Today it is clear that the will of the Bolivian people is to follow the path of democrat ic revolution that is being led by the president, and that that will must be respected.
Mexico City; Summer, 2008.