Cocalero

The film "Cocalero" tells the story of how Evo Morales became the current president of Bolivia. Compared to the last movie we watched, about the way in witch former Bolivian president, "Goni," returned to power, it is interesting to see how Morales did so in a completely different manner. Evo had been fighting for the indigenous population of Bolivia for a long time. "Goni" could be seen as an outsider that used Western style campaigning to once again become the Bolivian president. Morales simply focused on the message of protecting the indigenous people and the rest of Bolivia from influences detrimental to their country. Social reforms were his main objective, and it became clear he would be an enemy to the large business owners in Santa Cruz and the capitalist western world as he stood in support with other Latin American socialists such as Hugo Chavez. 

The indigenous communities of Latin America have been struggling to be heard for hundreds of years. In the article, "Ecuador's Pan- Indian Uprising," Les Field illustrates just how hard the indigenous have fought for their voice to be heard. The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE) led a march across the country in the early 1990's that forced the Ecuadorian government to mobilize the army as the indigenous population shut down roads and took political members hostage to show just how serious they were about reforming the country. Field's explains their main message was simple, give back the land that was rightfully theirs. The CONAIE leaders proposed sixteen demands that centered around land reform and improving the overall quality of life for the indigenous people. As seen in the film, protests by indigenous communities throughout Latin America have become common as the people continue to struggle from what they view as being exploited by the upper class elite. Suzana Sawyer's article, "The 1992 Indian Mobilization in Lowland Ecuador," also shows how much of a struggle it has been for the indigenous populations. Sawyer goes on to explain how the indigenous populations had fought everything from state sponsored racism to being barred from political office over the previous decades. Without some sort of mass mobilization of the indigenous community it would likely remain the same for a long time. 

It appears the voices of the indigenous communities are finally being heard and that is a great thing. However, the governments in place in countries such as Venezuela and Bolivia should be viewed with caution. Evo Morales rose to power through the union ranks and used great coercion to become the leader of the indigenous people in Bolivia. Union members are required to attend meeting and pay dues, otherwise they could be fined. Refusal to pay the fine leads to being tied up and eaten by deadly ants. Punishments like this would be greeted with intense cries of human rights violations in the western world, but it seems to be overlooked in countries like Bolivia. One could argue that drastic means were needed for these people to have a chance at improving their lives, but it seems that Bolivia has thrown out former dictators in favor for a union dictator that may damage the country even more.