Adriana Gil
Encyclopedia
Adriana Gil is a Bolivia
n political figure. She has been the party leader of Social Democratic Force (FSD), a movement which bills itself as a left-wing
democratic
alternative to the President
Evo Morales
's government.
Formerly an ally of Morales, Gil is widely credited with having garnered electoral support
for him in the province of Santa Cruz
, which is considered to be politically conservative
. Gil broke with Morales in 2006 over several issues, including alleged corruption in the new government, its confiscatory policies, and the perception that Morales represents a trend towards an authoritarian ethnocentric
order which is concerned solely about the interests of some of the indigenous
Quechua and Aymara people.
Gil decries Morales, saying that Bolivians "voted for change, not for a dictator". In apparent retaliation for Gil's dissidence
, Gil's farmland has undergone a process of seizure by Quechua squatters who hold permits for her land, signed by Rural Development Minister Hugo Salvatierra. Gil has accused Vice President
Álvaro García Linera
of leading a conspiracy to seize her land and others', a charge he has denied.
In 2008, Gil formed a new political party, Fuerza Demócrata (FD), with another former former Morales supporter, Román Loayza. In mid-2009, Gil formed an alliance with Manfred Reyes Villa
, a former mayor of Cochabamba
. Reyes Villa was a losing candidate in Bolivia's 2009 presidential elections
, having finished second behind President Evo Morales
.
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
n political figure. She has been the party leader of Social Democratic Force (FSD), a movement which bills itself as a left-wing
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
democratic
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
alternative to the President
President of Bolivia
The President of Bolivia is head of state and head of government of Bolivia. According to the current Constitution, the president is elected by popular vote to a five year term, renewable once...
Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
's government.
Formerly an ally of Morales, Gil is widely credited with having garnered electoral support
Bolivian presidential election, 2005
The 2005 Bolivian presidential election was held on December 18, 2005. The two main candidates were Evo Morales of the Movement Towards Socialism Party, and Jorge Quiroga, leader of the Democratic and Social Power Party and former head of the Acción Democrática Nacionalista Party. Felipe Quispe,...
for him in the province of Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Department
Santa Cruz, with an area of 370,621 km², is the largest of the nine constituent departments of Bolivia. In the 2001 census, it reported a population of 2,029,471. The capital is the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The state is one of the wealthiest states in Bolivia with huge reserves of...
, which is considered to be politically conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
. Gil broke with Morales in 2006 over several issues, including alleged corruption in the new government, its confiscatory policies, and the perception that Morales represents a trend towards an authoritarian ethnocentric
Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism is the tendency to believe that one's ethnic or cultural group is centrally important, and that all other groups are measured in relation to one's own. The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with...
order which is concerned solely about the interests of some of the indigenous
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
Quechua and Aymara people.
Gil decries Morales, saying that Bolivians "voted for change, not for a dictator". In apparent retaliation for Gil's dissidence
Dissident
A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively challenges an established doctrine, policy, or institution. When dissidents unite for a common cause they often effect a dissident movement....
, Gil's farmland has undergone a process of seizure by Quechua squatters who hold permits for her land, signed by Rural Development Minister Hugo Salvatierra. Gil has accused Vice President
Vice President of Bolivia
This is a list of Vice Presidents of Bolivia, the second highest political position in Bolivia. There are several gaps in the list, caused by intermittent political turmoil. The names of Vice Presidents who also were President at one time or another are given in bold text...
Álvaro García Linera
Álvaro García Linera
Álvaro Marcelo García Linera is a Bolivian politician who has been Vice President of Bolivia since 2006.-Biography:He was born in Cochabamba and graduated from San Agustín High School. Then, he studied at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and became a mathematician...
of leading a conspiracy to seize her land and others', a charge he has denied.
In 2008, Gil formed a new political party, Fuerza Demócrata (FD), with another former former Morales supporter, Román Loayza. In mid-2009, Gil formed an alliance with Manfred Reyes Villa
Manfred Reyes Villa
Manfred Reyes Villa is a Bolivian politician, who was mayor of Cochabamba four times and ran unsuccessfully for the presidency in 2002 and 2009 against Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada and Evo Morales Ayma. He founded and led the Nueva Fuerza Republicana political party...
, a former mayor of Cochabamba
Cochabamba
Cochabamba is a city in central Bolivia, located in a valley bearing the same name in the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cochabamba Department and is the fourth largest city in Bolivia with an urban population of 608,276 and a metropolitan population of more than 1,000,000 people...
. Reyes Villa was a losing candidate in Bolivia's 2009 presidential elections
Bolivian general election, 2009
The Bolivian general election, 2009 was held on 6 December, 2009, following a constitutional referendum held on 25 January 2009. Voters elected:*President and Vice President of the Republic.*130 members of the Chamber of Deputies.*36 members of the Senate....
, having finished second behind President Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma , popularly known as Evo , is a Bolivian politician and activist, currently serving as the 80th President of Bolivia, a position that he has held since 2006. He is also the leader of both the Movement for Socialism party and the cocalero trade union...
.