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Violent Protests in Potosí Draw 100,000

Posted: Nate on Aug 04 | Politics

Protests and blockades that have paralyzed the department of Potosí since Saturday grew violent yesterday when Félix Gonzales, governor of the department, tried to address protesters.  As Mr. Gonzales approached the civic march, a jostling crowd of more than 100,000 people, he was pelted with rocks and shouts.  Mr. Gonzales, who suffered a head hematoma from a thrown rock, was forced to flee pursuing protesters chanting “a federal Potosí” on the roof of his car.

Demonstrations began on Saturday, July 31 in protest of disputed territorial boundaries between Potosí and the neighboring department of Oruro.  The contested areas have been claimed by both departments for over 50 years.  The dispute has centered on the region of Coroma, a limestone rich area which has historically supplied raw materials for both departments´ cement industries, and was reignited after the government put forward plans to construct a cement plant in the region.  Since the initial protest began, more issues have been added to the initial territorial concerns.  The strike has grown to include calls for increased autonomy, a new cement factory, and the reopening of a zinc-processing plant in the department.

Departmental officials have said that only a large delegation of federal ministers will be able to calm the violence.  Bolivian Vice President Álvaro García Linera said that “it will not be easy” to resolve the border disagreement given the important mineral resources in the area.  For its part, the department of Oruro has been in a state of emergency for three days and officials have expressed a desire for dialogue with their southern neighbor.

Since the protests began, roadblocks and strikes have cut off much of southwestern Bolivia and stranded many frustrated travelers in the area.

For more in Spanish see:

http://www.laprensa.com.bo/noticias/4-8-2010/noticias/04-08-2010_1958.php

http://www.la-razon.com/version.php?ArticleId=61348&a=1&EditionId=1362

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