This cartoon (El Dia, Aug 2, 2011) illustrates how the government is behaving regarding this road that will cut in half this protected area. The bulldozer has up-front a sign “Bye TIPNIS” and by the side a box “Mister Indigenous, place here your consultations”
New threat for TIPNIS. There is a new organization in the political arena, the Union Confederation of Inter-cultural Campesinos of Bolivia (CSCIB), General Secretary Gustavo Aliaga, reported to La Prensa (link below) that this organization has around two million affiliates and that sooner or later they will enter the TIPNIS for land. Aliaga wants to debate about inequalities with the indigenous groups in the lowlands of Bolivia. He claims that in average an indigenous person holds 20,000 hectares (within the Communal Origin Territories, TCO in Spanish) and they (self-appointed as intercultural workers) have between one and five hectares.
CONAMAQ is a fierce campesino organization from the highlands who was very and violent supporter for current president, now they have decided to show support to the TIPNIS people and to CIDOB. They will join the protest march, to start on August 15th.
http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2011/2011-08-02/vernotanacional.php?id=110801225026
Please keep in mind that current Bolivian president last remarks on this issue was that road will be completed in 2014. And that he asked the coca growers to influence over TIPNIS people to accept the road. Many people regard that as a placing gasoline into a fire.
Bolivian Thoughts | Pensamientos Bolivianos (Bilingual/Bilingüe) 