Global Briefs: Bolivia’s political powder keg
Supporters of former President Evo Morales have staged an uprising against his successor
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Bolivia
Rebels intent on ousting President Luis Arce from power captured three military bases in Cochabamba on Nov. 1, government officials said. The assault came after three weeks of public protests supporting former President Evo Morales, who blames his successor for the country’s ongoing economic crisis. According to Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry, Morales supporters kidnapped more than 200 military personnel with their families as hostages. Arce accused the rebels of “crimes of high treason,” but Morales, who faces a criminal investigation for alleged statutory rape, has defended protesters and called for a nationwide strike against the government. Once close allies, both socialist party leaders have been at odds since last year, when Bolivia’s Supreme Court disqualified Morales from running for reelection in 2025 due to term limits. Even so, Morales refuses to back down from his bid to return to power. —Carlos Páez
Australia
On Nov. 7, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced draft legislation for a social media ban for teens, one he calls necessary to protect children’s mental health. The proposed legislation would take more than a year to go into effect and require social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, X, and Snapchat to block new and existing Australian users under 16 years old. The social media companies would have to verify users’ ages with “reasonable steps” such as identification requirements or biometric screening. Individuals who don’t comply wouldn’t be punished, but offending social media companies would face hefty fines levied by Australia’s eSafety Commissioner. The Australian Child Rights Taskforce calls the proposal “too blunt an instrument,” and social media lobbyists say a ban is an outdated approach. —Amy Lewis
Belarus
President Alexander Lukashenko’s office said Nov. 7 his government had released and pardoned 31 political prisoners convicted of “crimes of an extremist nature”—a reference to participation in mass protests following the disputed election of 2020. Observers say Lukashenko’s reasons for the pardons are unclear, but he likely seeks to sow fear in the population and prevent opposition in the run-up to January’s presidential election. The same week of the pardons, Lukashenko’s government arrested 100 other people on political charges. “We are seeing an escalation of fear and increased repression on the eve of the presidential elections, and it is not entirely clear to whom and what signals Minsk is giving,” said Pavel Sapelka of the Belarusian human rights group Viasna. The organization says there are now 1,278 political prisoners in Belarus. —Jenny Lind Schmitt
Kenya
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki took his oath of office in Nairobi on Nov. 1, just two weeks after his predecessor’s unprecedented impeachment. Lawmakers in Parliament voted to impeach Rigathi Gachagua over allegations of corruption, incitement of ethnic unrest, and support for violent anti-government protests last summer over a bill to raise taxes on daily items like vegetable oil, bread, and fuel. Gachagua has challenged his removal in court. Kindiki, who formerly served as interior minister, was also accused of supporting police brutality during the summer protests. He has denied any abuse of power. At his swearing-in ceremony, Kindiki pledged to be “loyal and faithful” to Kenyan President William Ruto. —Onize Oduah
Japan
Researchers are testing the world’s first wooden satellite to assess the use of timber in space. LignoSat, a cubic satellite whose sides measure just 4 inches each, was developed by Kyoto University and Japanese homebuilder Sumitomo Forestry and launched into space aboard a SpaceX rocket from Florida Nov. 4. While conventional metal satellites produce aluminum oxide particles upon reentering the atmosphere and burning up, wooden ones would cause less pollution after being decommissioned, according to Takao Doi, a former astronaut and professor at Kyoto University who helped develop the satellite. LignoSat is outfitted with electronic components to assess the wood’s durability in space. —Joyce Wu
Moldova
The country’s foreign ministry said Nov. 12 it had handed a “note of firm protest” to Russia’s ambassador in response to alleged meddling in Moldova’s Nov. 3 election. Pro-Western President Maia Sandu won reelection in the runoff against pro-Russian Alexandr Stoianoglo, despite Sandu’s claim of an “unprecedented attack” through vote-buying schemes that authorities said originated from Russia or pro-Russian politicians. Social media misinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, and false bomb threats also hindered voting for Moldovans living abroad. Sandu has encouraged closer ties with Western Europe and promoted a bid for EU membership, but international observers say Moldova, a former member of the USSR, is the target of an outside effort to destabilize the country. —Jenny Lind Schmitt
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