Bolivian Update

The Miami Herald is a go-to source for Latin America news, because Miami is the unofficial capital of the Spanish-speaking Western Hemisphere. Columnist Andres Oppenheimer follows the region closely, and today writes about an unfortunate development in land-locked Bolivia.

Bolivian President Evo Morales announced last week that he will submit to his country’s Congress - where he enjoys a comfortable majority - a “law against lies,” which would penalize news about his government that he doesn’t like.

In several statements in recent weeks, Morales said he will propose a law to “punish liars” in the media and to “moralize” independent news organizations. The Inter-American Press Association has denounced (sic) that the proposed law would impose an all-out censorship on the media.

Morales took office in January 2006, is now seeking a fourth five-year term next year, which would allow him to stay in power until January 2025.

Latin America must love their Presidents for Life, they produce so many of them. It's a cultural defect, seen from my vantage point. Hat tip to Stephen Green, guest blogging at Instapundit, for the link.