Today, PAT TV channel around 6:50am reported a road blockade that started around 21:00 hours (8/8/2011) in Yapacani. So, Santa Cruz is blocked on the road to Chapare, Cochabamba, La Paz and harbor ports in Chile and Peru. The only alternative is the old road (poor condition) to Cochabamba through a region called Siberia (rough humid, foggy terrain).

As PAT was releasing that information, they also had access to Presidency Minister, Carlos Romero, who was in the Trompillo airport, on his way to Trinidad, for a government organized meeting with TIPNIS and CIDOB indigenous leaders. Romero denied such blockade existed as he said three ministers including himself met with Yapacani people last Thursday. PAT had on the phone a Yapacani leader who said the blockade is in effect and they expect ministers to negotiate their demands (protect El Chore natural reserve; natural gas household connections in Yapacani among other demands).

Minister Romero said the government will not go to Yapacani as they viewed their Thursday, August 4, 2011 meeting took place and accords were made. So, and until both sides decide to meet, blockade will persists, damaging our trade and free transit. I will report as news become available.

UNITEL, another TV channel around 7:10am hours was reporting that the TIPNIS and CIDOB will not attend today’s meeting with the government. The one Minister Romero was going to this morning. CIDOB leaders said they were not aware the government had convoked them over the weekend for this meeting. Since it was a holiday, most leaders were back in their hometowns. Indigenous groups keep on saying that they will only meet once their protest march start on August 15.

Both Yapacani blockade and the TIPNIS road shows that both parties in each “dialogue” have their own priorities, perceptions and they obviously need more negotiation skills and above all offer solutions to the rest of the society.