La Paz
Tens of thousands of Indians, farmers, and students jubilantly marched on the Bolivian capital this week, celebrating a popular revolt that forced the ouster of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada. Sanchez de Lozada resigned last week following weeks of violent protests that brought the South American nation to the brink of anarchy. The rebellion was fueled by a five-year economic recession and anger over Sanchez de Lozada’s free-market, pro-U.S. policies. “We are really happy with what we’ve done so far,” said protester Jorge Khana, a farmer. “But we must keep fighting.” Bolivia’s hastily appointed new president, Carlos Mesa, vowed to push for a more equitable distribution of wealth, but he acknowledged his country was in crisis. “I am running the risk of total shipwreck,” he said.
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