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Nationalizing Bolivia's energy sector is a costly political ploy, says Latin America specialist ANNETTE HESTER
Bolivian President Evo Morales celebrated May Day -- that international workers holiday -- by nationalizing the country's oil and gas industry. The move was meant to fulfill a promise to keep more energy profits in the country, though it likely also was intended to revive his flagging popularity. Will it succeed in reducing the brutal poverty of most Bolivians? Will it pay off politically? Mr. Morales made his move with much fanfare as befits his roots as a coca growers union leader -- standing amidst …
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