Bolivia

Anti-Morales strikes freeze rebel provinces

Article published on the 2008-08-20 Latest update 2008-08-20 13:02 TU

Opposition protestors in Santa Cruz.
(Photo: Reuters)

A massive strike against Bolivian President Evo Morales was held in the country's eastern bastion, ten days after a deadlocked referendum failed to resolve the political standoff between the leftist leader and the rebel governors of the wealthy states.

The 24-hour stoppage in Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca took place peacefully despite fears of violence based on previous clashes. There were, nevertheless, thousands of police and soldiers on hand to guard public buildings.

The opposition governors supporting the strike are calling on Morales to rescind a gas-production tax that was brought in to redistribute revenues towards the indigenous western states that have no gas deposits.

They are also calling for 112 million euros already collected by this tax to be refunded.

The August 10 referendum, called to bring an end to the standoff, solidly confirmed both Morales’ and the governors’ mandates.