Breaks in Diplomatic Relations -- Visas Still Issued?

[HAL 9000 96]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

[T and M 1]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

Gunfire or petardos/firecrackers?

Bolivian protesters, left and right, shoot off very loud noisemakers that look like dynamite. They sound like gunfire, but they are just for noise. The foreign press usually reports that protesters were "shooting off dynamite" at the US embassy. Many of the miners DO have dynamite, but it is not used that often.

Yes. It does seem overdone. I just got off the phone with the embassy, though, and they are re-opening full services soon. US citizen services have continued unabated during the whole "crisis."

All appears to be calming down now with the government arrest of one of the opposition governors suspected of masterminding the massacre of 30 Indians in Pando province.

[HAL 9000 96]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

Gunfire or petardos/firecrackers?

Bolivian protesters, left and right, shoot off very loud noisemakers that look like dynamite. They sound like gunfire, but they are just for noise. The foreign press usually reports that protesters were "shooting off dynamite" at the US embassy. Many of the miners DO have dynamite, but it is not used that often.

Yes. It does seem overdone. I just got off the phone with the embassy, though, and they are re-opening full services soon. US citizen services have continued unabated during the whole "crisis."

All appears to be calming down now with the government arrest of one of the opposition governors suspected of masterminding the massacre of 30 Indians in Pando province.

It may have been the light soroche I had (even though it didn't worsen at La Cumbre)... but I do recognize handgun fire when I hear it quite easily.

Those are good news- consular services will go on. I am sure all can agree to that- even if they want to make a show against their opposition (one way or another).

What strikes me as odd is the incredible amount of 'concern' about politics when those that previously side with 'our' policies have far worse political and human rights records than the supposed Chavez posse.

[T and M 1]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

Gunfire or petardos/firecrackers?

Bolivian protesters, left and right, shoot off very loud noisemakers that look like dynamite. They sound like gunfire, but they are just for noise. The foreign press usually reports that protesters were "shooting off dynamite" at the US embassy. Many of the miners DO have dynamite, but it is not used that often.

Yes. It does seem overdone. I just got off the phone with the embassy, though, and they are re-opening full services soon. US citizen services have continued unabated during the whole "crisis."

All appears to be calming down now with the government arrest of one of the opposition governors suspected of masterminding the massacre of 30 Indians in Pando province.

It may have been the light soroche I had (even though it didn't worsen at La Cumbre)... but I do recognize handgun fire when I hear it quite easily.

Those are good news- consular services will go on. I am sure all can agree to that- even if they want to make a show against their opposition (one way or another).

What strikes me as odd is the incredible amount of 'concern' about politics when those that previously side with 'our' policies have far worse political and human rights records than the supposed Chavez posse.

Exactly. After decades of the Bolivian military basically being branch of the Pentagon and having armed US soldiers fighting coca growers in the Chapare, suddenly rightwing Bolivians are angered by Chavez's "intervention" in Bolivian domestic politics.

Luckily, Evo has the constitution on his side, which has meant that not only Chavez but all of South America has come to his defense, significantly quieting opposition Bolivians.

[mari&Ryan 93]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

Gunfire or petardos/firecrackers?

Bolivian protesters, left and right, shoot off very loud noisemakers that look like dynamite. They sound like gunfire, but they are just for noise. The foreign press usually reports that protesters were "shooting off dynamite" at the US embassy. Many of the miners DO have dynamite, but it is not used that often.

Yes. It does seem overdone. I just got off the phone with the embassy, though, and they are re-opening full services soon. US citizen services have continued unabated during the whole "crisis."

All appears to be calming down now with the government arrest of one of the opposition governors suspected of masterminding the massacre of 30 Indians in Pando province.

It may have been the light soroche I had (even though it didn't worsen at La Cumbre)... but I do recognize handgun fire when I hear it quite easily.

Those are good news- consular services will go on. I am sure all can agree to that- even if they want to make a show against their opposition (one way or another).

What strikes me as odd is the incredible amount of 'concern' about politics when those that previously side with 'our' policies have far worse political and human rights records than the supposed Chavez posse.

Exactly. After decades of the Bolivian military basically being branch of the Pentagon and having armed US soldiers fighting coca growers in the Chapare, suddenly rightwing Bolivians are angered by Chavez's "intervention" in Bolivian domestic politics.

Luckily, Evo has the constitution on his side, which has meant that not only Chavez but all of South America has come to his defense, significantly quieting opposition Bolivians.

OMG, I can to see clearly that u don't have clue who Chavez is... That Devil (Chavez) has 10 years taking my loved Venezuela to destroying, and He is giving OUR (from venezuelan not Chavez's) money and OIL to those countries just to get support.

What a shame right?

and I'm venezuelan

[HAL 9000 96]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

Gunfire or petardos/firecrackers?

Bolivian protesters, left and right, shoot off very loud noisemakers that look like dynamite. They sound like gunfire, but they are just for noise. The foreign press usually reports that protesters were "shooting off dynamite" at the US embassy. Many of the miners DO have dynamite, but it is not used that often.

Yes. It does seem overdone. I just got off the phone with the embassy, though, and they are re-opening full services soon. US citizen services have continued unabated during the whole "crisis."

All appears to be calming down now with the government arrest of one of the opposition governors suspected of masterminding the massacre of 30 Indians in Pando province.

It may have been the light soroche I had (even though it didn't worsen at La Cumbre)... but I do recognize handgun fire when I hear it quite easily.

Those are good news- consular services will go on. I am sure all can agree to that- even if they want to make a show against their opposition (one way or another).

What strikes me as odd is the incredible amount of 'concern' about politics when those that previously side with 'our' policies have far worse political and human rights records than the supposed Chavez posse.

Exactly. After decades of the Bolivian military basically being branch of the Pentagon and having armed US soldiers fighting coca growers in the Chapare, suddenly rightwing Bolivians are angered by Chavez's "intervention" in Bolivian domestic politics.

Luckily, Evo has the constitution on his side, which has meant that not only Chavez but all of South America has come to his defense, significantly quieting opposition Bolivians.

Not just the constitution, but democracy. Something many out there- for whatever sentimental reasons... can't quite seem to grasp.

After all... where were these well-off folks from Santa Cruz (to name an example) that happened to be profiteering from the drug trade? Inversely maintaining thousands of poor farmers in poverty, certainly- as has usually been the case and not just with the drug trade. I am sure they were OK with spending weekends shopping in Miami on the money they helped steal from the rest of the nation with 'our' blessing.

[HAL 9000 96]

Strange that they closed the consular ops in Santa Cruz... being the seat of most of that opposition to the Altiplano's more Bolivia-centric policies.

Some of this seems a bit overdone. But last time I was in La Paz I did hear gunfire on the streets... not unlike what I hear at least once a month in Chicago.

Gunfire or petardos/firecrackers?

Bolivian protesters, left and right, shoot off very loud noisemakers that look like dynamite. They sound like gunfire, but they are just for noise. The foreign press usually reports that protesters were "shooting off dynamite" at the US embassy. Many of the miners DO have dynamite, but it is not used that often.

Yes. It does seem overdone. I just got off the phone with the embassy, though, and they are re-opening full services soon. US citizen services have continued unabated during the whole "crisis."

All appears to be calming down now with the government arrest of one of the opposition governors suspected of masterminding the massacre of 30 Indians in Pando province.

It may have been the light soroche I had (even though it didn't worsen at La Cumbre)... but I do recognize handgun fire when I hear it quite easily.

Those are good news- consular services will go on. I am sure all can agree to that- even if they want to make a show against their opposition (one way or another).

What strikes me as odd is the incredible amount of 'concern' about politics when those that previously side with 'our' policies have far worse political and human rights records than the supposed Chavez posse.

Exactly. After decades of the Bolivian military basically being branch of the Pentagon and having armed US soldiers fighting coca growers in the Chapare, suddenly rightwing Bolivians are angered by Chavez's "intervention" in Bolivian domestic politics.

Luckily, Evo has the constitution on his side, which has meant that not only Chavez but all of South America has come to his defense, significantly quieting opposition Bolivians.

OMG, I can to see clearly that u don't have clue who Chavez is... That Devil (Chavez) has 10 years taking my loved Venezuela to destroying, and He is giving OUR (from venezuelan not Chavez's) money and OIL to those countries just to get support.

What a shame right?

and I'm venezuelan

Refer to previous post.

But to be specific and within context- I am sure that wasn't a problem for some when many upper crust venezolanos were partying in South Beach on money they stole from the Venezuelan people. It must have been ok since they weren't playing pin the tail on the bad guy with los gringos... like Chavez is. He's a lunatic, yes. And should go away. Once he's voted out of office.

[T and M 1]

Refer to previous post.

But to be specific and within context- I am sure that wasn't a problem for some when many upper crust venezolanos were partying in South Beach on money they stole from the Venezuelan people. It must have been ok since they weren't playing pin the tail on the bad guy with los gringos... like Chavez is. He's a lunatic, yes. And should go away. Once he's voted out of office.

Ditto. Unfortunately, the Latin American upper caste has never been known for its democratic tendencies. Nor the Bolivian rich. "Our only hope is the armed forces," is a refrain commonly heard around La Paz's swanky neighborhoods these days.

[HAL 9000 96]

Well that wouldn't be parting that far away from what the armed forces where up to in places like Bolivia not 2-3 decades ago.