The South African Civil Society Information Service

Bolivia Transfers Land from Rich to Poor
17 Mar 2009

On Saturday, 14 March 2009, President Evo Morales gave away 34 land titles in Bolivia's Santa Cruz province. This was state owned land that was not being used. The government has also confiscated thousands of hectares of land that belonged to five powerful ranchers. Morales promised to redistribute the land to those he says are its rightful owners.

Indigenous Bolivians are celebrating the fact that for the first time since the country was invaded by Spain, all the people of the country have equal justice. It has taken 194 years for the original inhabitants of Bolivia to come into power.

Bolivia continues to be South America's poorest country, but its indigenous citizens  argue that with Morales' reforms, they have gained back their pride.

Read more articles tagged with: land reform, redistribution, Bolivia.

You can find this page online at http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/116.19.