BOLIVIA: Bolivian army adopts symbolic slogan of Latin America's revolutionary left

Record ID: 798613

  • Title: BOLIVIA: Bolivian army adopts symbolic slogan of Latin America's revolutionary left
  • Date: 13th March 2010
  • Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (MARCH 11, 2010) (REUTERS) BOLIVIAN PLURINATIONAL ASSEMBLY BUILDING TRADITIONAL BOLIVIAN FLAG AND INDIGENOUS FLAG CALLED "WHIPALA" FLYING ON THE BALCONY (SOUNBITE) (Spanish) GENERAL MARCELO ANTEZANA, FORMER GENERAL COMMANDER OF THE BOLIVIAN ARMED FORCES AND OPPOSITION MEMBER OF THE ASSEMBLY, SAYING: "It follows the president's political view. He wants to impose a socialist state. 'Homeland or death, we will triumph', is a Cuban army slogan. Venezuelans have a similar slogan, but I don't care about them. I care about my country. The "subordination and perseverance" slogan represents an impartial policy for the armed forces." BOLIVIAN PRESIDENTIAL PALACE
  • Embargoed: 28th March 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4UJSUAPMMQDWXWTTVYKM21KKA
  • Story Text: Bolivian president Evo Morales adopts "homeland or death, we will triumph" as new military motto.
    Bolivia's leftist president Evo Morales confirmed on Friday (March 12) the country's army would adopt the trademark slogan of Latin America's revolutionary left.
    'Patria or muerte, venceremos' -- 'homeland or death, we will triumph', in English -- was popularized when Fidel Castro and Che Guevara led of band of communist revolutionaries in overthrowing the Cuban government in 1959.
    Morales, the first indigenous president in Bolivia, has advanced his own revolutionary project in Bolivia, looking to 'refound' the country in the name of the poor, indigenous majority.
    Speaking from the presidential palace in La Paz on Friday, Morales bowed to the demands of some in the military to continue using the old motto of 'subordination and perseverance', but made it clear the new slogan would be used as well.
    "The armed forces have proposed that while using the military slogan of 'homeland or death, we will triumph', we should also keep the older slogan of 'subordination and perseverance', as discipline is a key element at the armed forces. Otherwise discipline problems may arise at this important institution. Also the former military commanders know that what I say as the general commander of the armed forces has to be done," he said.
    The slogan is still used across Latin America as a rallying cry in leftist protests, now summing up resistance to perceived neo-imperialism led by the United States.
    "I tell you again. This new slogan has been approved and will be used in any military act and, why not, by the Bolivian people. It is an example of how the armed forces are with its people," Morales added.
    Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the most vociferous of the new line of anti-imperialists and Castro protege, has adopted a similar slogan for his armed forces.
    But traditional elements in Bolivia's military says it skews the army's ideology. Marcela Antezana is a former army general and a current opposition member of Bolivia's national assembly.
    He says the old motto not so politically loaded.
    "It follows the president's political view. He wants to impose a socialist state. 'Homeland or death, we will triumph', is a Cuban army slogan. Venezuelans have a similar slogan, but I don't care about them. I care about my country. The 'subordination and perseverance' slogan represents an impartial policy for the armed forces," Antezana said.
    Since starting office in 2006, Morales has strengthened the state's grip on key industries, restructured the congress and redrafted the constitution.
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