4 protestors killed in Cochabamba Bolivia

Cearbhuil Ní Fhionnghusa | 11.01.2007 22:51 | Social Struggles

In an demonstration in Cochabamba, Bolivia, violence has errupted. 4000 demonstrators are surrounded by an armed mob of over 1000 people.
By Cearbhuil Ní Fhionnghusa an eyewitness from Ireland in Cochabamba.
4 people have already been killed in the violent repression of protests. People have come from all over Cochabamba to "Plaza 14 de Septiembre" demanding that the Prefect resigns from office. The Prefect 'Manfres Villas Reyes is a right-wing oligarch who supports multinationals and privatisation. Reyes´ December convoking of an autonomy referendum, to allow the province more independence from Moralez government has enraged Cochabamba's campesinos. He must go', say the protesters.

Since Tuesday, all the main roads are blocked off and no cars, taxis or other vehicles can enter the main square or the surrounding area. Now today all main roads are blocked and nobody can leave or arrive in Cochabamba.

On Tuesday the police provoked the peaceful protest by driving around and shooting rubber bullets into the crowd. Tear gas was fired and 4 people were injured including a little child who was hit in the eye.

The protesters then tried to get into the Prefecture building. They burnt the doors open and also a police vehicle. Today the tyres of that vehicle are being burnt on each corner of the Plaza.

The mainstream media in Bolivia is not in favour of the protesters and all the news stories have focused on the damage done to infrastructure and the rebel protesters outrageous actions.

The first night of the march, the news station Unitel announced that the march was a group of MAS supporters (Evo Morales' political party) causing trouble.

In reality, the march was a peaceful protest by people from all over the Department. It is obvious that the Media’s agenda is to turn the masses against Evo Morales and his government.

Today more people, union members, factory workers, and campesino farmers have arrived in Cochabamba to call on Manfred Villa Reyes to resign.

In a press statement yesterday The Prefect said, ‘Bolivia is a democratic country and I have been voted in by the people, so I will not resign’.

Manfred Villa Reyes is infamous for his support of Aguas del Illimani, the private water company that was expelled from Cochabamba in 2003 by the Bolivian people.

He is also well known for his appearances on television delivering trucks of cement or other such publicity stunts to win votes.

The people who have been sleeping on the streets and blockading the Plaza are clear that they are not leaving until Manfred resigns.

On Wednesday afternoon a march around the Plaza gathered momentum as the people screamed ‘Out with the oligarchy and wealthy landowners’. The majority are walking around with bottles of vinegar to wash their faces when the tear gas comes.

Now this evening things have take a turn for the worse. 4000 protestors in the square are now surrounded by a crowd of about 1000 armed with guns. There is a real fear here that things will turn bloody.

Cearbhuil Ní Fhionnghusa
e-mail: cearbhuilf@yahoo.ie