Exploring Bolivia's Mesa: Ancient Traditions, Unique Culture

Carlos Mesa is a Bolivian historian, journalist, and politician who served as the 63rd president of Bolivia from 2003 to 2005. He is once again on the threshold of power in Bolivia, seen as conservatives' best chance of defeating leftist Luis Arce in the 2020 elections. Mesa, a centrist, was the vice president of Bolivia when he was thrust into presidential office in October 2003. President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada had fled the country after brutally crushing a popular revolt, leaving more than 60 dead in what became known as the gas war. Mesa soon faced protests from an increasingly organized indigenous community led by Evo Morales, over a rise in fuel prices. He resigned twice, his first attempt rejected by Congress before he finally stood down in 2005, triggering the elections that brought Morales to power.

Carlos Mesa's political career

Mesa's time as vice president was marked by conflict with President Sánchez de Lozada, particularly over the government's response to the ongoing gas conflict. In October 2003, after clashes between protesters and military personnel led to several deaths, Mesa withdrew his support for the government. He did not resign from his post, however, and when Sánchez de Lozada resigned, Mesa succeeded him as the 63rd president of Bolivia.

Mesa's presidency, which lasted from 2003 to 2005, was characterised by his attempts to lead a transition government in a deeply divided country. He held a national referendum on gas, which passed with high margins, and called for a referendum on autonomies and the convocation of a constituent assembly to reform the Constitution. However, widespread dissatisfaction remained, and Mesa resigned in June 2005.

After his resignation, Mesa withdrew from active politics and returned to journalism. In 2014, he was appointed by President Evo Morales as the international spokesman for Bolivia's maritime lawsuit against Chile before the International Court of Justice, a position he held until 2018. Mesa's work on the maritime cause brought him back into the national spotlight, and he emerged as a viable contender for the presidency. He ran for president in 2019 and 2020 but lost to Movement for Socialism (MAS) candidates. Mesa currently leads the largest opposition parliamentary group in Bolivia.

Mesa's involvement in the gas war

Mesa's involvement in the "Bolivian gas war" began when he was vice president to Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada. The conflict centred on the exploitation of Bolivia's vast natural gas reserves, and the government's economic policies concerning this. In October 2003, strikes and roadblocks mounted by indigenous and labour groups brought the country to a standstill, and violent suppression by the Bolivian armed forces left around 60 people dead.

On 13 October, Mesa withdrew his support for the government, citing the human cost of the conflict as something his "conscience as a human being [could] not tolerate". The following day, the US informed Mesa that they would not support a government headed by him. However, three days later, as it became clear that Sánchez de Lozada would resign, the US changed its position.

On 17 October, Sánchez de Lozada resigned, and Mesa became president. Mesa promised a referendum on the gas issue, and appointed several indigenous people to cabinet posts. On 18 July 2004, the referendum on gas nationalisation passed with high margins on all five counts. However, widespread dissatisfaction continued, and in May 2005, under pressure from protesters, the Bolivian congress enacted a new hydrocarbons law, increasing the state's royalties from natural gas exploitation. Protesters, including Evo Morales, demanded full nationalisation of hydrocarbon resources, and on 6 June 2005, Mesa was forced to resign as tens of thousands of protesters blockaded La Paz.

Mesa's resignation and comeback

Carlos Mesa Gisbert, a Bolivian historian, journalist, and politician, served as the 63rd president of Bolivia from 2003 to 2005. Mesa's political career began in 2002 when he was elected vice president under Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada. However, his tenure as vice president was short-lived due to ideological differences with President Lozada, and he eventually resigned in October 2003. Mesa then succeeded Lozada as president following the latter's resignation.

Mesa's presidency was marked by a commitment to address social grievances and advance democratic reforms. He held a national referendum on gas exports, which passed with broad support, and worked towards constitutional reform to allow for a constituent assembly and greater citizen participation. However, Mesa faced significant opposition from traditional parties and social movements, particularly over the issue of nationalizing the gas industry.

In June 2005, amid ongoing protests and a deepening political crisis, Mesa resigned from the presidency. His resignation came after failed attempts to negotiate with Congress and address the demands of the protesters, who sought greater autonomy for the indigenous majority and nationalization of the gas industry. Mesa's resignation led to a period of political transition, with Supreme Court Judge Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé assuming the presidency until new elections could be held.

Following his resignation, Mesa returned to journalism and authored several books, including a memoir of his time as president, titled "Presidencia Sitiada" ("Besieged Presidency"). In 2014, Mesa re-entered the political arena when he was appointed by President Evo Morales as the international spokesman for Bolivia's maritime lawsuit against Chile. This role raised Mesa's profile and positioned him as a potential presidential candidate.

In 2019, Mesa ran for president against Morales but was defeated. However, irregularities in the vote tally and allegations of electoral fraud led to mass demonstrations and ultimately resulted in Morales' resignation. Mesa ran again in the 2020 snap elections but lost to Luis Arce of the Movement for Socialism (MAS). Despite the losses, Mesa emerged as the head of the largest opposition bloc in the legislature, a position he still holds today.

Mesa's political ideology

Carlos Mesa's political ideology has been described as centre-left, with a tendency to be progressive. Mesa has been described as a centrist, and a social democrat, but he himself has stated that he does not subscribe to any particular ideology. Mesa has also been described as "not at all from the right and of the 70s Marxist leftism, less so".

Mesa's politics have changed over time. He has been described as having moved to the left since his first presidency, which is largely attributed to the influence of former president Evo Morales, who shifted the entire spectrum of Bolivian politics to the left. Mesa has also been described as "an accidental vice president" to Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, whose right-wing politics he was associated with during his first term as vice president. However, Mesa has since distanced himself from these politics, and has criticised the privatisation of state enterprises that occurred under de Lozada's leadership.

Mesa has been described as a "politician without a party", and an "outsider" to politics. He has been criticised for being distant and "elitist", and has struggled to assert himself in Congress. However, Mesa has also been praised for his willingness to work with the opposition, and for his ability to raise his profile as a diplomatic statesman.

Mesa has expressed a willingness to open a national debate on gay marriage, abortion, and marijuana legalisation, and has been described as progressive in these areas. He has also advocated for judicial reform, and has blamed the MAS for perverting justice and endangering human rights. In addition, Mesa has pledged to protect the country's rainforests and harmonise progress and development with environmental protection.

In international relations, Mesa has stated that he would be willing to form good relations with any nation, regardless of political ideology, as long as it is in Bolivia's best interest. He has advocated for the resumption of bilateral relations with the US, and the expansion of economic agreements with China and Russia.

Mesa's personal life

Carlos Mesa Gisbert, a Bolivian historian, journalist, and politician, was born on 12 August 1953 in La Paz. He is of Spanish descent through his father, José de Mesa, and Catalan descent through his mother, Teresa Gisbert. He has three younger siblings: Andrés, Isabel, and Teresa Guiomar.

Mesa began his journalistic career after graduating from university, rising to national fame in 1983 as the host of De Cerca, where he interviewed prominent figures in Bolivian political and cultural life. He also worked as a film critic and archivist, radio host and producer, and television presenter.

Mesa entered politics in 2002 when he became the vice president of Bolivia under President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada. He assumed the presidency in October 2003 after Sánchez de Lozada fled the country following a popular revolt, known as the gas war, which left more than 60 people dead. Mesa himself faced protests and resigned twice, with his first attempt rejected by Congress before he finally stepped down in 2005, triggering elections that brought Evo Morales to power.

During his presidency, Mesa faced challenges such as widespread dissatisfaction, rising fuel prices, and social unrest. He is known for his anti-corruption efforts and his work on constitutional reform, particularly regarding hydrocarbons and gas. Mesa's political base, Comunidad Ciudadana, is a collective of small parties, citizens' platforms, and regional leaders.

In his personal life, Mesa has been married twice. At the age of twenty-two, he wed Patricia Flores Soto, but they divorced after three years. He then married Elvira Salinas Gamarra, a psychologist and environmental consultant, in 1980, and they have two children: Borja Ignacio and Guiomar.

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