Land Invaders Behind San Julián Blockades? | ¿Avasalladores Detrás de los Bloqueos?

By Eju.tv:

Owner of Santa Rita Claims More Than 70% of Blockade Participants in San Julián Are Part of the Land Invaders

The people maintaining blockades in that municipality support the demands of the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) and the groups that have been mobilized throughout the country since May 4.

Santa Rita property invaded in 2024. Photo: El Deber

Melisa Barba, owner of the Santa Rita property in Santa Cruz, which was seized yesterday for the fifth consecutive time by armed groups, stated this Saturday that more than 70% of the people maintaining blockades in San Julián are part of the group of land invaders.

“More than 70% of the blockade participants in San Julián are all land invaders. How can you allow armed people to take control, enter private properties, and point guns at workers’ heads?” she told Radio El Deber.

The people maintaining blockades in that municipality support the demands of the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) and the groups that have been mobilized throughout the country since May 4.

Yesterday, a group of individuals on motorcycles and carrying firearms stormed the Santa Rita property, located in the Guarayos province of Santa Cruz. Twenty workers were detained and stripped of their belongings.

According to Barba, although this group left the area, it resumed the violent takeover of the property early this morning, where wheat crops that were due to be sprayed are planted.

She indicated that those people from San Julián re-entered the property believing they could bring down the current government; however, she said that with the new administration, it is expected that action will be taken against these violent groups.

Actions

The Vice Ministry of Lands reported that it is coordinating actions with the different levels of government to restore order at the property that was forcibly seized.

“The Vice Ministry of Lands reaffirms its permanent commitment to legality, the defense of agrarian rights, the peaceful resolution of conflicts, and the strengthening of legal certainty as a fundamental pillar for productive development and the country’s stability,” states a communiqué from that government office.

by Patricia Cadena

Leave a comment