Racial tensions in Sucre

My explanation of the events leading up to the para civico was terribly lacking. Below I quote directly from the Bolivia Information Forum, a blog/information service out of the United Kingdom, which gives a good overview of the events prior to the paro civico on Thursday.

From the Bolivia Information Forum:

Scenes of shameful violence took place in Sucre this week as tensions rose before a planned presidential visit, to coincide with the town’s civic anniversary. On 24 May a number of indigenous peasants from communities around the city came to the centre of Sucre to receive new municipal vehicles, which were to be handed over by the President in a ceremony in the stadium. Instead, the police and military personnel providing security for the event were overpowered by a large group of citizens (mainly youth) and the President cancelled his visit. A number of indigenous people who were to have received the President were taken prisoner by the mob, forcibly undressed, marched to the central plaza and made to kneel and shout anti-government slogans and to burn their ponchos, the flag of the MAS party and the wiphala (indigenous flag). During this ordeal they were subjected to kicks, blows and racist abuse. One of the captives was a rural mayor who denounced the attacks and gave witness to the mayor of Sucre, Aidée Nava, looking on and applauding. Others present were the University Chancellor and national leaders of the opposition, including ex-President and head of Podemos, Tuto Quiroga, Prefect of Cochabamba, Manfred Reyes Villa, and Senator Oscar Ortiz. Responses from local grassroots organisations, national and international human rights organisations and the government have been swift and condemnatory and have demanded punishment of the perpetrators.

In another wave of violence, MAS Congress members Cesar Navarro MP and Senator Ana Rosa Velazquez were ambushed by a violent mob as they passed through Sucre airport on their way to their constituency in Potosí, in a manner that suggested forethought and planning on the part of the aggressors.

Minister of the Presidency Juan Ramon Quintana was also attacked while visiting Riberalta, Pando. Pando, which is part of the ‘crescent’ of opposition departments, will hold a referendum on autonomy on June 1. Quintana’s visit coincided with a tour by Santa Cruz leaders Branko Marinkovich and Ruben Costas. An angry mob attacked the airfield where Quintana arrived, making it impossible for him to meet with local supporters.