BY PAT SMITH
Unable to stem workers' protests after weeks of confronting union rallies with tear gas, rubber bullets, and arrests, the Bolivian government declared a state of siege April 19. The regime of Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada arrested dozens of union officials and raided the offices of the Bolivian Workers Confederation (COB), where union leaders were voting to reject an agreement to end a six-week national strike.
The state of siege prohibits public gatherings of three or more people, imposes a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m., curbs travel within the country, and restricts other democratic rights.
Unions called the nationwide walkout in March, after the government arrested dozens of leaders of the striking teachers' union. Tens of thousands of miners, teachers, and rail, oil, health-care, construction, and factory workers joined in the protests. "In addition to the repression, the government has refused to meet our economic and social demands," reported COB executive secretary Oscar Salas before his arrest.
The constant military repression did not impede thousands of workers who marched almost daily to demand pay raises and an end to government violence. Workers also protested the government's plan to privatize the state petroleum, electric, and telecommunications companies, Bolivia's biggest smelter, its railroad system, and the national airline.
Bolivia is the poorest country in South America, with 6.5 million people and a per capita gross domestic product of less than $1,000.
"The struggle of the workers is just because what we are asking for is better living conditions for all Bolivians. We repudiate the repressive attitude of the government for its violations of workers' human rights," a COB spokesman said over the radio. "We will reorganize and continue working in hiding." Soldiers patrolled the streets of La Paz and other cities after the state of siege was declared, and troops were mobilized in rural areas where teachers and peasants have organized mass protests.
In addition to the unions, the government's repressive measures drew a rebuke from the Roman Catholic Church. "The state of siege is not good for the people who see their rights restricted or for the country because of the negative image it creates," said the bishop of La Paz, Luis Sainz.