https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5iTznByvb4
Merco, Fight for the Future, Abolition Media || Bolivian workers have entered the second week of their indefinite general strike against the new reactionary government of Rodrigo Paz Pereira, which intends to scrap fuel subsidies put in place by the previous leftwing administration. The Pereira regime also plans to introducing new freedoms for private companies to bypass state regulations.
The end of subsidies are expected to see petrol prices increase by 86% and diesel by 162%. Bolivia has one of the strongest labour movements in Latin America, and workers from many unions have joined the general strike despite attempts by their union leaders to capitulate to the state.
Social organizations condemn the adjustment for including the elimination of taxes on large capital, the opening to foreign investments through a 30-day automatic approval mechanism, and a legal regime that guarantees 15 years of protection to transnational companies, particularly in the mining and energy sectors.
According to unions and critical economists, the decree was enacted after meetings with delegations from the DFC, EXIM Bank, USTDA, and the US State Department, fueling accusations of alignment with external interests over Bolivia’s strategic resources.
The general strike began just prior to Christmas, when thousands of miners, coca growers, and labor activists descended on the seat of government. Thousands of workers filled the streets of downtown La Paz on December 22, demonstrating once again the historic capacity for mobilization that unionized Bolivian workers have always had.
“[Decree 5503] contains provisions that seek to sell off our country, our companies, and our natural resources, making the millionaires richer and the poor poorer. We cannot allow that to happen!”said one of the union leaders.
In addition,six of the country’s nine departments have experienced road closures, demonstrating the national reach of workers’ organisations that have resisted the neoliberal reforms of various governments for decades.
The National Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Bolivia (Fencomin) led the massive mobilization on Monday that descended from the town of El Alto to the seat of government in the city of La Paz.Alfredo Uño, one of the leaders of the miners, says the decision will radically increase operating costs for small and medium-sized mining companies, leading to unemployment and hunger among workers.
The mobilization, led by the Bolivian Workers’ Union (COB), has effectively paralyzed the capital and several other major departments. At the same time,the Organization of Factory Workers closed several points in Cochabamba that connect Oruro with La Paz as a protest measure. For their part, the independent transport unions also announced that they will take measures to pressure the government to reverse its decision.
The protests began in the early hours as regional delegations gathered in the highland city of El Alto before marching down to the center of La Paz. Protesters successfully reached the perimeter of Plaza Murillo, the country’s political heart, which remains heavily fortified by police units and metal barricades.
https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/bolivian-police-fire-tear-gas-and-rubber-bullets-striking-workers
The COB reaffirmed at a Christmas plenary session that it will not lift the strike while the decree remains in effect. The leadership argues that the movement must be sustained through factory assemblies, struggle committees, and territorial coordination, in a scenario reminiscent of the historical Bolivian labor movement.
The Bolivian Workers’ Union (COB) stated that President Paz’s decision was not consulted with the sectors that would be most affected, and therefore, they claim that it is a unilateral decision. Mario Argollo, the COB’s top leader, said: “We will not back down, we will not negotiate without our people, we will not betray the trust that has been placed in us to lead this protest movement.”
And although the COB agreed to begin talks with the Paz administration, the first of which took place on Wednesday, December 24, it also stated that it will not call off the protests in La Paz and other regions until Decree 5503 is repealed. Fencomin joined these talks, also denouncing that the executive branch’s measures facilitate the transfer of strategic resources to the private sector, which directly violates the Constitution and national sovereignty.
https://x.com/teleSURtv/status/2005363501716713601?
In Cochabamba, transport unions joined the movement, using vehicles to create barricades that have blocked the main avenues of the city’s northern district. Similar reports of unrest and road closures have emerged from the mining hub of Potosí, where regional leaders warned that tactics will “intensify” unless the government repeals Decree 5503.
Tensions reached a boiling point on Monday evening following a failed attempt at dialogue at the Casa Grande del Pueblo (the presidential palace). COB Executive Secretary Mario Argollo and miners’ leader Andrés Paye reported that they arrived for a scheduled meeting with the executive branch, only to find President Paz and his ministers absent.
“Do not mock the miners,” warned Paye, executive secretary of the FSTMB (miners’ federation). “If you saw us peaceful today, you are mistaken. The Miners’ Federation does not go out to tickle people.”
Paz held a separate meeting earlier in the day with approximately 40 social organizations supporting his decree. This split has led labor leaders to accuse the government of “buying off” specific sectors to undermine the strike’s legitimacy.
The government is attempting to counter the popular pressure through negotiations with transport workers, mining cooperatives, and sectors of the middle class, in addition to political and mainstream media campaigns against the protesters.
Following the failed meeting, union leaders announced a “radicalization” of pressure tactics for Tuesday. While the government is reportedly considering declaring December 26 a national holiday to diffuse public anger, the COB has vowed to remain on the roads.
“We are going to change the methodology and strategy,” Paye noted, suggesting that the strike may evolve from street marches to more permanent road blockades across the national highway system.
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