President Morales met provincial governors in La Paz 7 Jan to defuse political tension: discussed eastern provinces’ autonomy statutes and new pension bill cutting provinces’ share of gas revenues. No agreement but committee set up to address constitutional concerns; Morales later imposed revenue cut, angering opposition. Also condemned alleged collaboration of Western governments with opposition against his “irreversible” reforms. Protesters in Chuquisaca began drive to become fifth province to declare autonomy.

Political crisis continued: Constituent Assembly approved new draft constitution 8-9 December; opposition boycotted vote, claimed document invalid. 4 eastern provinces launched bid for autonomy 15 December; extra police sent to Santa Cruz to protect public buildings. President Evo Morales called for dialogue, facilitated by EU ambassadors, but said would not allow separation of Bolivia. Dynamite attack on headquarters of largest Bolivian trade union (COB) 24 December. Venezuelan military plane suspected of carrying arms attacked attempting landing in Amazon region 6 December. Petrobras announced $1bn gas investment.

Fears that violent clashes over new constitution and capital status for Sucre may worsen. Constituent Assembly (CA) reconvened after 3- month suspension 23 November at military base in Sucre; 4 killed, 300 wounded as police fought with protesters. CA approved initial constitution draft 24 November in face of boycott by opposition, who claimed vote violated procedural rules. Congress decreed 28 November CA could convene anywhere, to help speed approval by 14 December deadline, after opposition members denied access to session by Morales’s supporters. Morales’s call for dialogue 29 November rejected until concessions made; anti- government strikes in 6 of 9 provinces relatively peaceful, but further action pledged.

Renewed tension in eastern departments: protestors stormed Santa Cruz airport 18 October and clashed with 300 government soldiers in corruption dispute. After Venezuelan President Chávez pledged military force to suppress any potential coup against Bolivia’s Morales, protestors in Santa Cruz launched dynamite attacks 22 October on Venezuelan consulate and house of Cuban doctors. Despite efforts to get Constituent Assembly back on track, Sucre representatives rejected political council compromise of locating Electoral Court, some legislative sessions in the city, blocking resumption of proceedings 25 October.

Constituent Assembly (CA) ceased activities for 1 month 8 September due to ongoing dispute over future location of capital. Dialogue Committee created between pro-government and opposition political forces to avoid CA failure; but 48% of Bolivians polled believed constitution unlikely to emerge by December end to CA mandate. Noting increased Bolivian effort to thwart cocaine production, U.S. dropped threat of aid sanctions.

Mandate of Constituent Assembly (CA) extended 3 August to 14 December. But political crisis deepened after CA proceedings suspended amid growing protests in Sucre over move of country’s capital, and pro-government congressmen’s action to bring breach of duty charges against 4 Constitutional Tribunal judges. Over 1,200 judges threatened 48-hour strike in support of accused colleagues. 6 of 9 provinces carried out general strike 28 August. President Morales accused U.S. embassy of financing opposition.

Constituent Assembly (CA) due for extension until 14 December, pending approval by Congress; over 300 articles still require debate. Over 1 million protested in La Paz 20 July over moves to restore “full capital” status to Sucre; large-scale response protests in Sucre 25 July. Marches and roadblocks set up across country throughout July. In Tarija, MAS party CA delegate led peasants setting up 16 roadblocks for 9 days to demand greater share in energy revenues.

Constituent Assembly (CA) likely to ask for extension of 6 August deadline to present new constitution; nothing approved in over 10 months. Tensions continued to rise in CA over ruling MAS party proposal to consider 36 indigenous groups as nations and include autonomy for indigenous peoples in new constitution. Eastern lowland regional governments see move as undermining regional autonomy won in July 2006 referendum.

Constitutional Court (TC) and President Morales at loggerheads over Supreme Court judge appointments, as government seeks to push through corruption charges against former President Sánchez de Lozada. Morales accused of attempting to dismantle TC after filing breach of legal duty charges against its justices; lower House of Congress (with pro- Morales majority) to rule whether accusation has merit. 600 landless peasants occupied Madidi National Park in Apolo 17 May, demanding development in the region and more equitable land rights. Protestors vowed to mobilise additional 10,000 Apolo inhabitants if government does not heed their call.

Clashes 18 April between military guards and demonstrators demanding greater share in profits from Margarita gas field killed 1 and injured 20; protesters held 58 police officers hostage for 24 hours. Constituent Assembly delegates gathered more than 3000 proposals for new constitution.