EL ALTO, Bolivia — President Evo Morales and thousands of supporters celebrated Bolivia’s new constitution as it took effect Saturday, saying the new document will enshrine indigenous rights and end centuries of oppression.
The constitution, the first approved in Bolivia by popular vote, promises more power for the poor, Indian majority; recognizes communal justice; grants some regional autonomy; and declares coca a part of the nation’s heritage.
“This is the second independence, the true liberation of Bolivia,” Morales said upon signing the charter. “It protects all Bolivians and excludes no one.”
A military parade accompanied the ceremony.
The new constitution also lets presidents seek re-election, giving the popular Morales a shot at remaining in office through 2014. The charter was backed by more than 61 percent of voters in a Jan. 25 referendum. But the “no” vote prevailed in four of Bolivia’s nine states — all in the relatively prosperous lowlands, where opposition to Morales is fervent. The Associated Press
