The Bolivian Coup Comes Down to One Precious Mineral

[Uncle Joe]

(snip)

Over the past 13 years, Morales has tried to build a different relationship between his country and its resources. He has not wanted the resources to benefit the transnational mining firms, but rather to benefit his own population. Part of that promise was met as Bolivia’s poverty rate has declined, and as Bolivia’s population was able to improve its social indicators. Nationalization of resources combined with the use of its income to fund social development has played a role. The attitude of the Morales government toward the transnational firms produced a harsh response from them, many of them taking Bolivia to court.

(snip)

Over the course of the past few years, Bolivia has struggled to raise investment to develop the lithium reserves in a way that brings the wealth back into the country for its people. Morales’ Vice President Álvaro García Linera had said that lithium is the “fuel that will feed the world.” Bolivia was unable to make deals with Western transnational firms; it decided to partner with Chinese firms. This made the Morales government vulnerable. It had walked into the new Cold War between the West and China. The coup against Morales cannot be understood without a glance at this clash.

(snip)

Tesla (United States) and Pure Energy Minerals (Canada) both showed great interest in having a direct stake in Bolivian lithium. But they could not make a deal that would take into consideration the parameters set by the Morales government. Morales himself was a direct impediment to the takeover of the lithium fields by the non-Chinese transnational firms. He had to go.

After the coup, Tesla’s stock rose astronomically.

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/the-bolivian-coup-comes-down-to-one-precious-mineral/

[scarletwoman]

1. Thank you for posting this.

It's the same old story...

[alwaysinasnit]

2. K&R

[TwilightZone]

3. "After the coup, Tesla's stock rose astronomically"

Nonsense.

The spike in Tesla's stock was on October 25th, triggered by an earnings report and a surprise quarterly profit.

It had nothing to do with the coup, especially since the coup hadn't even happened yet.

Apparently, basic fact-checking is something truthdig can't be bothered with.

[Zorro]

4. Preach

Last edited Thu Nov 14, 2019, 03:19 PM - Edit history (1)

The recent opening of its Shanghai manufacturing plant also contributed to Tesla's recent stock price rise.

Tesla has also reportedly been looking at lithium mines in Nevada, close to its Reno gigafactory. Makes a lot more sense than importing Bolivian lithium salts.

This article is full of FUD.

[Uncle Joe]

6. The coup actually had its beginnings on October 21st.

From 21 October 2019, protests and marches have been occurring in Bolivia as a response to claims of electoral fraud in the 2019 general election. The claims of fraud were triggered by the sudden suspension of the preliminary vote count, in which incumbent Evo Morales was not leading by a large enough margin (10%) to avoid a runoff, and the subsequent publication of the official count, in which Morales won by over 10 percent.

Some international observers expressed concern over the day-long gap in the reporting of results, which was followed by a surge in Morales votes when the count resumed. Morales denied the allegations and invited foreign governments to audit the electoral processes, promising to hold a runoff if any fraud was found. The runner-up, Carlos Mesa, called for protests to continue until a second round was held, stating that he would bring forward proof that fraud occurred. While many demonstrations have been peaceful, violence has erupted, largely overnight. Senior members of the ruling party and their families have been victims of attacks, including burning houses.[2][3][4]

The police and army demanded Morales's resignation on 10 November, which he offered shortly thereafter.[5]

(snip)

After Morales fled to Cochabamba, Unión Juvenil Cruceñista leader Luis Fernando Camacho, a supporter of the anti-Morales movement, went to the old Government Palace and put down a bible and a symbolic letter that renounced Morales. Camacho declared: "I don't go with weapons, I go with my faith and my hope; with a bible in my right hand and his letter of resignation in my left hand."[100][101] [102] A pastor who was present was recorded saying that "the Bible has re-entered the palace. Pachamama will never return."[103] This led to criticism of Camacho and the anti-Morales movement of racism and Christian religious bigotry against indigenous Bolivians and their religious practices.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Bolivian_protests

P.S and for that matter it may have been in the planning stages months before then.

[Judi Lynn]

5. Really good to discover more people are awakening about what has been happening!

Wingers trying to pass as progressives out themselves, reacting to progressive leaders, to no one's surprise, but it is always such an excellent moment every time a person of conscience takes time to break through the greed and racism which has been shoved down our throats as corporate news, see it for what it is, and start looking for the truth to share.

Tremendous seeing information connected to reality, Uncle Joe. Thank you, very much.