Court 16 May placed Beni department governor Ernesto Suárez (opposition) under house arrest due to corruption charges, but did not suspend him from carrying out duties as governor. Beni, Santa Cruz only remaining opposition-controlled departments following Dec flight to Paraguay of former Tarija governor Mario Cossío to escape corruption charges. Parliament 6 May approved law making Bolivia world’s first country to popularly elect judges for Supreme, Constitutional Courts.

Labour protests continued: 2 weeks’ of large-scale street demonstrations, strikes, road blocks ended 18 Apr after govt and main umbrella union COB reached agreement to raise health and education wages by 11%. Govt 19 Apr announced will accept U.S. aid to verify destruction of coca plantations along border with Brazil.

Following weeks of social unrest due to rising food and fuel prices, govt 2 March reached deal with main umbrella union COB, passed decree raising minimum wage by 20%. President Morales 11 March dismissed national police chief for allowing corruption in police force; followed late Feb high-profile arrest of police general in Panama for drug trafficking.

Large-scale protests over food shortages, rising prices continued; President Morales 15 Feb reshuffled cabinet for second time in 5 weeks in response.

11 Jan report from govt ombudsman highly critical of justice system: 70% of prisoners yet to receive formal charges, many lack access to lawyers; govt rejected report. Mario Cossío, suspended Tarija governor who fled country in Dec after govt launched corruption charges, granted political asylum in Paraguay 18 Jan.

Pro-opposition governor of Tarija department Mario Cossío removed by govt-controlled regional assembly 16 Dec on corruption charges, replaced by govt loyalist; opposition claimed charges politically motivated. Cossío fled to Paraguay, govt considering international arrest warrant. La Paz attorney 20 Dec charged 39 in context of alleged 2009 plot to assassinate President Morales. Morales 31 Dec cancelled 82% price hike on petrol that had provoked large-scale union-led protests across country from 26 Dec.

UN HCHR Navi Pillay 16 Nov commended controversial new anti-racism law as “landmark development”, cautioned against possible violations of press freedom. U.S. Sec Defence Gates 21 Nov warned of unclear Iranian motives for possible nuclear deal with Bolivia; President Morales accused U.S. of interventionism.

Senate 8 Oct adopted anti-racism law amid continued demonstrations by media workers against 2 controversial provisions said to violate freedom of press. International media watchdogs expressed serious concerns, several MPs 20 Oct denounced “unconstitutional” articles; UN Bolivia representative 10 Oct called on govt, journalists to find peaceful solution. Morales and Iranian President Ahmadinejad 26 Oct signed agreement to strengthen political and economic cooperation. 4 former election officials in Pando dept 25 Oct arrested for organising 2008 autonomy referendum, declared illegal by govt.

President Morales 20 Sept announced intention to stand for re-election in 2014 arguing he had only served only 1 term under new constitution, drawing criticism from opposition groups. Morales accused 7 Sept of attempting to “silence opposition” and politicise judiciary, following controversial jail sentence for former president Quiroga for supposed 2009 defamation of majority state-held bank. Reporters’ organisation 14 Sept accused govt of attempting to curb press freedom through new anti-racism law, sparking controversy ahead of senate vote.

Potosí department, traditional stronghold of ruling MAS party, paralysed from early Aug as more than 100,000 demonstrated against govt over protracted border dispute with Oruro department; protests ended 16 Aug after govt conceded to main Potosí civic group’s demands of infrastructure developments, commission to solve border dispute; UNOHCHR 11 Aug said dispute had led to “serious human rights violations”. President Morales 8 Aug announced army to be used in fight against drug trafficking.