A Bolivian official acknowledged "tensions" with Macri and pointed at Pichetto: "His attitude scares us"

Jose Alberto Gonzales is the voice of Bolivia in the Organization of American States (OAS). Very close to the president Evo Morales, Gonzales has received Discover at his country's diplomatic headquarters in Buenos Aires to discuss the presidential elections to be held in Bolivia and Argentina and the impact of these elections at the regional level.

-What are the expectations of Bolivia vis-à-vis the next Argentine government?

-A possible government of Alberto and Cristina (Fernández), A return of Peronism would undoubtedly improve the link with Bolivia. The dialogue with the Macri government was not bad but, obviously, the bilateral relationship tended a little. I worked at the embassy when the Argentine government issued the decree on the necessity and urgency that affected the migration rights acquired by the Bolivian community.

Of course, during the governments of Nestor (Kirchner) or Cristina (Fernández) there was no measure of this hostility against Bolivian migrantss. On the contrary, it is Nestor (Kirchner) and Evo (Morales) who have developed a common policy to facilitate the documentation of the citizens of my country who have lived for a long time in Argentina. These obstacles to residence had been established by the dictatorship. That's why Macri's decree has put us in suspense. In this sense, with the current government, there may have been no decline, but yes a freeze of the bilateral link. In addition I am afraid of some statements of some candidates towards the Bolivian community.

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-What does he mean specifically?

–According to recent discriminatory statements by (Miguel) Pichetto against our compatriots. This discursive hostility makes us a little afraid. Therefore, I repeat, in a possible government of Alberto Fernandez We believe that the situations mentioned, the aforementioned decree or a certain discursive virulence would not be repeated. We have this hope. And we are also expecting a Frente Amplio victory in Uruguay. On the other hand, We think very well what has been done up to now by the government of (Andrés Manuel) López Obrador at the regional level. Mexico is rebalancing the balance of power with conservative governments.

– Have you noticed that a new zone scenario emerges?

-Of course, we must also pay special attention to extraordinary events in Ecuador. We had a very successful regional experience when Lula was president in Brazil and also chaired the Kirchner in Argentina or (Rafael) Correa in Ecuador. These were from other times, I hope we can recover this time when the presidents of South America have thought more about the city. only in the privileged little groups of always. It is very difficult to achieve integration when there are powerful entrepreneurs at the head of the presidency. because they end up ruling the country as though it were another of their societies.

–Does the Bolivian government hope to win in the first round?

-In these elections, the opposition managed to reduce certain distances. In 2009, Evo Morales won with nearly 64% of the votes. Five years later, he had the same result at the polls. The polls announce today a more homogeneous scenario. However, All forecasts coincide to signal our victory.

In addition, the surveys are very relative. Historically, we took 10 or 15 points more than the projection made by the surveys. It happens that investigators do not reach deep Bolivia and in rural areas. The popularity of Evo is very strong.

-What is the situation of fires in Amazonia?

At this time of the year, there is usually fire in this forest area of ​​Santa Cruz de la Sierra, but now it's a new one because there are elections. Flames they are produced by an agricultural practice we call each where the producer makes a deliberate fire to clear his weed growing area. People fire instead of using machines because it costs less to clear the land.

Authorities in Santa Cruz blame the president for failing to declare the environmental emergency. However, Evo Morales he hired hydrant airplanes and had helicopters to help and act in the area. But what happened? The opposition concluded that the fires had electrically affected Evo Morales. Then, they began intentionally spreading fireplaces.

– Is it a suspicion or do you have proof of your guilt?

-We have elements, there are movie recordings that show the opposing hand behind the fires. There have even been arrests for these acts of vandalism. We are now waiting for the results of the judicial inquiry. This is the reality as firefighters and volunteers tried to decrease the growth of the flames; on the other hand, there were organized people generating new sources of fire.