Correistas form a new political movement; Colegio Benigno Malo restoration remains on hold; China pledges more Latin American investment

Two Citizens Revolution assemblyman have announced the formation of the “People’s Caucus,” a political movement they say rejects the self-interests and in-fighting that has dominated the National Assembly in recent years. Raúl Chávez and Jaime Estrada announced the new initiative on Wednesday.

“This is a movement dedicated to the interests of the country, not those of political parties and individuals,” Chávez said Wednesday. “Our intention is to build an independent agenda focused on dialogue, citizen participation and well-crafted proposals for change.”

Water damage repairs will begin soon at Cuenca’s historic Colegio Benigno Malo but a total restoration of the high school remains on hold.

Although they expressed dissatisfaction with the “direction of Citizens Revolution,” Chávez and Estrada said they are not leaving the party. “People’s Caucus is not a new political party, but a movement within the current parties that seeks common ground,” Estrada said, adding that he has commitments from at least 16 other Assembly members to be part of the caucus.

China to increase Latin American investment
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that Chinese companies will “substantially increase” their investments in Latin American countries. He said the investments will bolster economic development and help promote stability in international trade.

Xi Jinping made his pledge at the China-Latin America Forum, attended by officials from most Latin American governments.

“China and Latin America should strengthen development strategies, deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as infrastructure, agriculture and food, energy and minerals, and expand cooperation in emerging areas such as clean energy, 5G communications, digital economy and artificial intelligence,” Xi Jinping said.

He added that the economies of China and Latin American countries continue to grow while “much of the rest of the world is in stagnation.”

Malo high school restoration delayed
Although work will begin soon to repair water damage at Cuenca’s Colegio Benigno Malo, a complete restoration of the historic high school remains on hold, according to the Ministry of Education. Regional ministry director Gustavo Sánchez says he believes funds will be set aside in 2025 for a “total restoration” but has yet to receive confirmation.

“Our immediate concern is to repair the water damage caused in the past three or four months due to heavy rain,” Sánchez said. “Depending on the weather, this work will begin by the end of May.”

According to Sánchez, a full renovation of the high school requires the relocation of most classes for as long as two years. “This is a very large project, since it also involves some reconstruction to update the facility that is almost 100 years old,” he said. “The architectural plans are ready when the funds are allocated.”

The Education Ministry signed an agreement with the University of Cuenca to develop restoration plans in 2017 and these were submitted and approved in 2021.

Bolivia high court ends Morales comeback bid
Bolivia’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday effectively ended former president Evo Morales bid to return to the presidency. In its ruling, the court upheld constitution language limiting presidents to two terms. The unanimous decision came after years of speculation regarding the constitutionality of a third term, with Morales arguing that not allowing him to run again violates his human rights.

Morales has already served three terms as president, with the court allowing the third administration because his first came before adoption of a constitution. He ran for a fourth term in the 2019 elections, but fled the country after the results were disputed and the court ruled another term would violate the constitution.

Morales responded to the court’s decision on Wednesday by saying on X that “only the people” could ask him to give up the candidacy.

Current President Luis Arce, a former mentee of Morales, announced Monday he will not run for re-election in the August 17 general election, and will support fellow Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) candidate Andrónico Rodríguez.