News brief

06.21.2004

The Altiplano bloqueo ended (temporarily) last night after campesinos & government officials came to an agreement. Which includes the government paying for economic losses sustained by campesinos & transportistas during the weeks-long bloqueo. The dirigentes campesinos warn this is only a temporary move; several issues still require negotiation. But. For now. The roads are open to the Peruvian frontier.

President Mesa's cabinet decides today what to do about Ayo Ayo, where a group of citizens (apparently led/encouraged by MST dirigentes) murdered the town's mayor. But Mesa's starting to criticize the "radical minoritarian" elements pushing the country towards the abyss.

-----
Cross-posted at Living in Bolvia

Posted by Miguel at 03:49 PM

Comments

I can't believe the government (tax payers) will pay for economic losses and damages caused by violent protests and blockades, and to make matters worse this might be a temporary relief... Mesa has to restore authority badly, and this kind of negotiation only hurts it even more.

Posted by: Daniel at June 22, 2004 09:44 AM