The threat is an attempt to clamp down on large, spreading protests against him after he declared himself president for yet another term, notwithstanding widespread allegations of voter fraud that left international observers objecting and domestic opposition furious.
Domestic opposition, in addition to alleging massive voter fraud, said the vote was fundamentally illegitimate as Morales was barred from running based on term limits set in Bolivia’s Constitution.
Morales had held a referendum on Feb. 21, 2016, to change this constitutional provision, but it was voted down by a majority. Ever since, rallies against Morales feature signs stating “21F, Bolivia said no!”
Some supporters of Morales have shrugged these problems off as technicalities. They argue that Bolivia has long been unstable, and Morales has brought relative stability while raising the standard of living, fighting for the poor, and confronting the rich oppressors based out of eastern Bolivia.
The opposition argues that Morales is turning Bolivia into another Venezuela and selling Bolivia out to China. In addition, he has largely ignored the fires ravaging Bolivia’s rainforests, which are causing an environmental disaster.
Roadblocks Set Up by Opposition
After Morales claimed victory for himself, the opposition began striking and setting up roadblocks to pressure the government.Supporters of Morales responded by physically confronting the opposition. Dozens of people across Bolivia were injured, some seriously, following violent political action in recent days.
Situation Escalating
The situation for Bolivians is tense, volatile, and expected to get worse.Morales, rather than searching for a compromise or giving the opposition a face-saving way out, is belittling and taunting the opposition, jeering that he will teach a rogue band of protesters how to respect him.
The threat to cut off water to La Paz would be particularly surprising as La Paz has long been a stronghold for Morales.
This follows protests in Santa Cruz shortly before the vote, where reportedly more than 1 million people were in attendance, a staggering number given that Santa Cruz only has a population of between 3 and 4 million. They chanted in favor of democracy and federalism, and against Morales. The government responded by buzzing the rally with disruptive low-flying, noisy helicopters.
Arguably even more problematic for the opposition is the sponsorship Morales has from international entities.
His administration was aided for a long time by money from Venezuela. Though that money has run out, he reportedly still has backing from Cuban agents.
China also has a large interest in the outcome. Morales has taken out billions of dollars in loans from China.
While officials from the United States and Brazil have made statements of concern regarding the situation, there has been little international response beyond that.