Lithium war: Elon Musk suggested supporting a coup in Bolivia on Twitter and unleashed a wave of criticism

07/25/2020 - 13:10

• Clarín.com
• Technology

Once again, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk raised a barrage of criticism on social media. This time, with an incendiary tweet in response to a user who questioned the intervention of their companies in the extraction of lithium in Bolivia, where the elections were postponed this Thursday: “We will overthrow whoever we want! Stand up for her! ”

The exchange was after an initial tweet Musk posted, in which he complained about a measure that is at the center of the scene in the United States regarding a package of social benefits: " Another government stimulus package is not in the best interest of the IMO people, "he tweeted, in what was once a local political opinion.

Another government stimulus package is not in the best interests of the people imo

Then he went on to explain, but not before clarifying that he agreed with certain social measures: " As a reminder, I am in favor of universal basic income ."

As a reminder, I'm in * favor * of universal basic income

"The government's goal should be to maximize people's happiness. Giving money to each person allows them to decide what meets their needs, rather than the blunt tool of the legislation, which creates special interests of personal interest," he developed.

It was then when the "replies" started to rain and, among them, a user named "Armani" pointed to the complex situation that Bolivia is going through, where the elections were again postponed and from the supporters of former President Evo Morales, it is read as an attempted coup: "Do you know what was not in the best interests of the people? The United States government organized a coup against Evo Morales in Bolivia so that you could obtain lithium there ."

It was then that Musk responded with the end caps: “We will overthrow whoever we want! Get her!

We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.

This immediately generated criticism and repudiation. "Wow, admitting to a coup. That's unbelievable. No wonder he was part of the triumph elite alongside the super CEO. Do you play with kids too much Musk? " Was one of the responses.

Musk was at the center of the controversy over lithium. (AFP)

Bolivia and the elections: third postponement

The exchange comes after Bolivia has gone through one of the most difficult weeks since the pandemic began. It happens that for the third time the presidential elections were postponed until October 18 in Bolivia, threatening to raise tension and deepen the political crisis at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is hit hardest. Authorities, politicians and analysts agree on this.

The largest cocalero union, loyal to former President Evo Morales , announced protests on Friday from next week until the Supreme Electoral Tribunal " reverses its unilateral decision" to postpone the elections originally planned for September 6, said leader Leonardo Loza.

New postponement of elections by @TSEBolivia without consensus and without Legislative Assembly, is rejected by all the union and social organizations of Bolivia. TSE not only offends the people, it also attacks democracy. The people ask that the postponement be annulled. pic.twitter.com/01qSEAKH38

It is the second postponement, since the original date was May 3, just when the country was in quarantine and with cases of coronavirus on the rise. But the date of September never convinced the interim government of Jeanine Añez, or other political forces, when the virus advanced in the country and in recent days broke records of contagion.

This Friday it was reported that 79 people died in 24 hours. The fatal victims of Covid-19 already exceed 2,400 and 65,252 infections were confirmed since the first cases in the country were identified last March.

Amidst all this institutional political conflict, Musk looks closely at a key country for his companies.

Lithium in Bolivia, a key resource for Musk

Lithium, a key resource for batteries. (Clarion)

The highland country, which has the largest resources in the world, actively joins the so-called "lithium triangle" together with Chile and Argentina, two of the largest current producers of this "white gold" , along with Australia and China.

Primarily used in the manufacture of rechargeable lithium ion batteries for electric vehicles and electronic devices, lithium carbonate, a fine white powder such as cake flour, is also used to make ceramics, glass, and even medicines.

Main figures of the lithium market in the world - AFP / AFP

When the current Llipi pilot plant - guarded by the Bolivian army - goes into industrial production in late 2020, it will have "a production capacity of 15,000 tons" of lithium carbonate, the project's chief of implementation tells AFP, Marco Antonio Condoretty.

Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB), the state-owned company created in 2008 by the government of then President Evo Morales to exploit the evaporative resources of the salt flats, hopes to make Bolivia the world's fourth largest lithium producer and the second in South America by 2021.

Juicy numbers for Musk's companies.

Bolivia postponed the elections this week. (EFE)