Congress 18 July passed new autonomy law, final key piece of legislation necessary for full implementation of new Feb 2010 constitution; opposition criticised law for not recognising 2009 autonomy statutes of eastern departments. Influential indigenous group Cidob 20 July ended protests against law after reaching compromise with govt over land rights, control of natural resources. Santa Cruz governor Rubén Costas (opposition) 6 July accused VP García Linera of receiving money from narcotraffickers; García Linera denied.

Congress mid-month passed law giving indigenous communities right to administer own justice systems; opposition protested that law could lead to mob rule, highlighted by series of recent lynchings by indigenous communities, including of 4 police late May in Potosí department. Congress 12 June passed law giving president power to appoint members of departmental courts; opposition said infringes on regional autonomy.

President Morales 25 May enacted law enabling suspension of governors facing criminal charges; protests in eastern opposition-controlled Santa Cruz, Tarija and Beni departments where governors charged. Main union umbrella group COB 10 May launched “indefinite” general strike, demanding higher pay raise than 5% announced by govt; called off strike 12 May after reaching deal with govt, but some sectors continued action. Morales 1 May issued decree nationalising 3 energy suppliers, one partly-owned by French govt.

President Morales’ MAS party made modest gains in 4 Apr departmental, municipal elections: won 6 of 9 departments, but overall support dropped from Dec 2009 presidential elections. Govt, opposition both made accusations of fraud, but OAS observers said vote free and fair. Interior minister Sacha Llorenti 13 Apr presented evidence linking Santa Cruz right-wing group to Apr 2009 alleged assassination attempt on Morales; opposition rejected evidence as politically motivated.

3 ex-presidents 18 March criticised govt’s attempt to pass new law that would reopen criminal cases against them. U.S. State Dept report 1 March criticised Bolivia for alleged 50% rise in coca growing 2007-2009; govt rejected.

President Morales 18 Feb appointed 18 new temporary judges, including to Supreme and Constitutional Courts, after Congress mid-month approved law allowing President to fill vacant seats; Morales claims needed to end paralysis in judiciary, but opposition, legal experts criticised as unconstitutional. Judges due to stand down after Dec 2010 judiciary elections.

Govt 13 Jan asked U.S. to extradite opposition leader Manfred Reyes Villa or hand him over to Interpol; Peru 5 Jan confirmed Villa had flown to U.S. via Lima to avoid corruption charges he claims are politically motivated. Candidate registration deadline for April municipal elections ended 18 Jan; opinion polls indicate President Morales’ MAS party likely to make gains in poll. Govt 14 Jan announced plans to create new intelligence agency directly under president’s control.

President Morales re-elected with 64% of vote in 6 Dec presidential elections. Morales’ MAS party won two thirds majority in both lower house (88 of 130 seats) and Senate (26 of 36 seats) of new National Assembly; made significant gains in oppositioncontrolled eastern departments, including Chuquisaca and Tarija. Morales 9 Dec said will use mandate to fully implement new constitution. Cochabamba public prosecutor 31 Dec ordered arrest of main opposition candidate Manfred Reyes Villa, accused of corruption during tenure as Cochabamba prefect; Reyes Villa claims charges politically motivated

President Morales intensified campaigning in opposition-controlled eastern departments ahead of 6 Dec presidential, legislative elections. Govt-controlled lower house 18 Nov approved report on April killing of 3 foreign mercenaries accused of plotting to kill Morales: report accused key Santa Cruz department opposition figures of funding plot; opposition denied, said findings politically motivated.