Interview with the Prefect of Oruro / Entrevista con el Prefecto de Oruro

Prefect Alberto Aguilar (L), during a visit to Huanuni Mine, Oruro

Durante nuestra visita a la mina de Huanuni en el Departamento de Oruro, DeCamino tuvo la oportunidad de charlar con el Prefecto Alberto Aguilar, perteneciente al Movimiento Al Socialismo (MAS) que nos comentó su opinión sobre el referéndum revocatorio de su mandato así como el de los Prefectos del resto de Departamentos y del propio Presidente, Evo Morales, que se llevará a cabo en agosto.

Escuchar entrevista: prefecto-oruro-rr1

The audio is only in Spanish; a summary in English can be read below:

During our visit to Huanuni Mine in the Department of Oruro, DeCamino had the opportunity to talk with the Prefect of Oruro, Alberto Aguilar of Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), who told us his opinion about the Referendum to revoke his mandate along with the prefects of the other departments and the President, Evo Morales, which will be held in August.

Prefect Alberto Aguilar: ‘Well, it will depend if they (the Prefects of the opposition) accept it (the Referendum) or not because now they are ‘wimping out’…They went to the UN asking for a referendum to revoke the President’s mandate. The President was brave and accepted [...] and now they have problems. They are blaming Tuto (Leader of opposition party PODEMOS) for not speaking with the prefects. Now they are getting cold feet because they don’t want the referendum. Probably they have noticed that part of the results of the polls about their (autonomous) statutes were fraudulent and they have realized that in the referendum they are going to lose their mandates [...] and they are trying everything possible to impose a judicial and economic boycott.’

DeCamino: I think you were at the launch of the referendum campaign with the President. How did he seem? Is he motivated?
Prefect Alberto Aguilar: ‘He is the president who travels most in the history of our country. He knows the people. He feels that he will receive more than the 54% of the vote (he achieved in the last election). He is really motivated and he has taken a brave decision to go to the referendum and let the people decide if we stay or go’

DeCamino: And the about people, what do you think?
Prefect Alberto Aguilar: ‘I think people consider him as the leader, the president of the poor, marginalized and humble people and that support is going to be constant and will help him to increase his legitimate lead.’

DeCamino: Your mandate as Prefect is also up for grabs, how do you feel?
Prefect Alberto Aguilar: ‘Well, Oruro has been the best prefecture Of 2007. Public investment has been 94.4%, which means that all the money we had available, we have spent on projects in rural communities, on roads, electricity, tourism. And I can see in two years and four months there are changes in Oruro, there is development. So it will be these communities who reciprocate by supporting their prefect.’

DeCamino: So are you confident?
Prefect Alberto Aguilar: Yes, I am really confident.