TIPNIS: The head of the coca growers in Caranavi, La Paz, Juan Machaca is threatening to blockade the TIPNIS protest walk; if the group does not meet with the government. He demands that the road through the TIPNIS and hydrocarbon investments should continue as they will bring development.
http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2011/2011-09-13/vernotaahora.php?id=110912191751
Today, the presence of the Foreign Affairs Minister, David Choquehuanca is expected to meet with the marching indigenous people and re-start dialogue. Indigenous leaders say they are waiting for him to talk among indigenous people.
Mining: At the Mining Congress held in Potosi, miners from public, cooperatives and private mines, have decided by majority to demand the larger mining sites (private and foreign investments) be taken over by the State. They were referring to the mines in Potosi: Sinchi Huayra, San Vicente, San Cristobal, Manquiri and others.
Maybe is human nature, to want what didn’t cost you; to appropriate from someone else’s work/investment; now that the international prices are high, who doesn’t want to become owner? Back in the 70’s and early 80’s production of our minerals costed us more than what we sold them for. Since most of our mines were in the hands of the government, there was inefficiency and later frustration when those huge subsidies (salaries to the miners) were cut. Most of those laid of miners ended up planting coca in the Chapare. There is no certainty that international prices will remain as high as now.
Furthermore, this government is now preaching on behalf of foreign investment, with these type of state-owned and long-time-proved-innefective actions, who will come to Bolivia to invest?
Employment: The private sector is worried that the over-value of the Bolivian currency makes our exports non competitive, thus generating unemployment of our non-traditional exports, like textiles.
Shifting the hour, day light savings: Remember the government tried to shift the hour in Bolivia as a measure to save on electricity, because our system lost power due to bad maintenance and lack of investment? well, the government said they may enforce that shift in October.
http://www.opinion.com.bo/opinion/articulos/2011/0913/noticias.php?id=25174
Bolivian Thoughts | Pensamientos Bolivianos (Bilingual/Bilingüe) 