In Bolivian referendum, the loser is national unity

"Both sides in Bolivia's bitter political standoff came out of a weekend recall referendum Monday with reason to declare victory. The big loser appeared to be national unity," writes the L.A. Times' Patrick J. McDonnell.

McDonnell goes on to write:

"President Evo Morales won a renewed mandate for his socialist vision, garnering more than 60% of the vote, according to preliminary results that won't be official for a week or so."

"But his chief antagonists in the rebellious, resource-rich crescent of lowland states known as the "half moon" also savored their triumph. All four opposition governors in the region easily survived the plebiscite in an explicit endorsement of their march toward regional autonomy -- a move that Morales decries as a treasonous splitting of the nation."

"The president's electoral might was heavily concentrated in the four mostly indigenous western and central highland states, long his base, which he swept handily. But a majority of voters in each of Bolivia's other five states apparently voted for Morales' expulsion from office, according to one exit poll."

"The upshot, according to many analysts, is that Bolivia is as divided as ever -- perhaps more so, as hard-liners in the two antagonistic camps may now have the upper hand."

For background on Bolivia's on-going political struggle and the secessionist movement, read here.

-- Reed Johnson in Mexico City

Photo: Posters in the capital urge voters to support President Evo Morales in a recall referendum, which also involves the vice president and eight governors. Credit: Juan Karita / Associated Press