In Bolivia, Morales starts 2nd term by declaring colonialism dead
By APFriday, January 22, 2010
Bolivia’s Morales sworn in to term No. 2
LA PAZ, Bolivia — Evo Morales has begun a second term as Bolivia’s president by declaring colonialism dead in the Andean nation.
The Aymara Indian was sworn in wearing a sash on which traditional national figures were replaced by two 19th-century heroes of indigenous resistance.
Morales says he has sought to eradicate all vestiges of colonial repression and discrimination against Bolivia’s indigenous majority. He was re-elected by a landslide in December.
In 2008, he expelled the U.S. ambassador and DEA from the world’s No. 3. cocaine-producing country. U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis represented Washington at Friday’s ceremony.
Morales has allied Bolivia with Venezuela, Cuba and Iran, and drawn criticism from the U.S. for the Tehran ties.
