As Bolivia Nationalizes Oil & Gas, is Mining Next?
Bolivian President Evo Morales campaigned on a platform of nationalizing the country’s natural resources. This week, Morales demonstrated the seriousness of his commitment by nationalizing the nation’s oil and gas fields. Dorothy Kosich 03 May 2006 RENO–(Mineweb.com) As troops occupied Bolivia’s natural gas and oil fields Monday on the orders of a presidential decree of nationalization, Bolivian President Evo Morales vowed that “this is just the start …tomorrow or the day after it will be mining, then the forestry sector, and eventually all of the natural resources for which our ancestors fought.” In a May Day announcement, Morales declared all hydrocarbons in Bolivia were nationalized. Foreign companies have six months to grant Bolivia 51% control of their national gas operations, renegotiate contracts, or leave the country. Morales ordered the military to occupy energy fields throughout the country Monday as he announced the nationalization as an end to “the pillage of our natural
