October 22, 2022, 9:34 AM
October 22, 2022, 9:34 AM
Around 9:00 this Saturday, the dialogue table that seeks a consensus was installed on the date of the census and lift the indefinite strike that is followed in Santa Cruz. Representatives of the 2023 Census Promotion Committee, the governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Fernando Camacho, as well as two ministers from the Luis Arce government participate in the meeting.
The rector of the Autonomous University Gabriel René Moreno (UAGRM) and president of the Interinstitutional Committee, Vicente Cuéllar; the vice president of the Civic Committee, Fernando Larach; Governor Luis Fernando Camacho, and the Ministers of the Presidency and Development Planning, María Nela Prada and Sergio Cusicanqui, entered the facilities of the Directorate of Support for the Prevention of Drug Use, Control of Illicit Trafficking of Controlled Substances and Coca Surplus (Diprevcom), located in the second ring road and San Aurelio avenue in the capital of Santa Cruz.
The indefinite strike began at 00:00 this Saturday and as the hours passed, the blockades were added at different points in the capital and provinces of the department of Santa Cruz. Nevertheless, there were clashes on the border with Brazil and one person lost his vinea. In the early hours of this morning, there was little influx of vehicles, a strong police presence in some areas and groups related to MAS trying to unblock.
Stello Cochamanidis, second vice president of the Civic Committee for Santa Cruz, regretted the death of a person in the municipality of Puerto Quijarro and indicated that he did not know the details of the event. However, she said that more people will not be allowed to die because of a lawsuit that was made a long time ago.
He held that, At this time (8:00), the strike is being complied with forcefully and that he hopes that the meeting called by the Government will be to discuss and reach an agreement that the census be carried out in 2023.
In the fifth ring of Santos dumont avenue, a group related to the Movement for Socialism (MAS) attacked, with kicks and sticks, people who were blocking in the place. Shouting: “We want to work,” they attacked the residents of the area.
A press team from EL DEBER was also attacked in this confrontation, the group of supporters of MAS, which went out to unblock as announced yesterday by the Minister of Public Works, Édgar Montañotried to take away the cameras and they insulted them.
On Virgen de Cotoca avenue there are several blocking points between the ninth and fourth rings and people are avoiding the circulation of vehicles. However, the youngest take the opportunity to ride a bicycle. In addition, the women are already starting with the preparations of the common pot.
At kilometer 7 of the double lane to La Guardia, at the height of the Berea school, a group of residents of the area installed a blocking point to prevent the movement of heavy vehicles, which were left stranded. However, they point out that they’re letting emergency vehicles through.
In that same double track, but in the fourth ring, the presence of anti-riot agents is observed of the Police Operations Tactical Unit (UTOP) with their anti-riot teams. In this place no pressure measure has been installed and there is little vehicle traffic.
While in the Chiriguano and Ramada roundabout area, which yesterday it was dyed blue by the MAS council, today there is little passability. Businesses remain closed.
Within the second ring of the city there are few blockade points, however, citizens abide by the strike without leaving their homes. In the area of the old town and the Plaza 24 de Septiembre, there is also little movement of people.
Without a doubt, what marked the beginning of the first day of the civic strike that requires a census in 2023 were the clashes that took place in the municipality of Puerto Quijarro between two sides; some tried to block the International Bridge that unites the country with Brazil and others opposed this measure.
With sticks, stones and firecrackers the two groups of people clashed and the first reports indicate that two people were injured, one of them lost his life when he was treated at the Príncipe de Paz hospital, Colonel Nelson Pacheco, commander of Puerto Suárez, reported to El Deber.
The deceased was identified as Julio Pablo Taborga, municipal official, better known as “Vivorita”. According to the residents of Puerto Quijarro, the victim was hit on the head with a stick when she tried to prevent the bridge from being blocked, but this version has not yet been confirmed by the Police.
While the residents of Montero installed a blockade last night at the south roundabout and a police continent came to this place and to prevent the tires from igniting fire due to the existence of a nearby pump.
In Pailón, the blockades were not necessary, because the population complies strike peacefully and without leaving their homes. The correspondent of EL DEBER in this municipality, Huberth Vaca, reported that around 8:00 this Saturday, Deputy Mayor Rudy Callaú announced the beginning of the closure of the route to Chuquitania, at the entrance to the Río Grande bridge.
At the entrance of the municipality of Ascensión de Guarayos a blockade was installed that cuts communication between Chiquitania and the capital from the department of Beni. “The intention is not to harm anyone, rather the intention is to help everyone, so that our requests are heard,” said Salvador Vaca Añez, president of the Civic Committee.
While in the Ángel Sandoval province, precisely in San Matías, daily activities are normal and no one is observed complying with the strike. In addition, the arrival of the Police that left yesterday from Santa Cruz de la Sierra is expected.
