The People Defend the Blockades. Paz Prepares for Repression.

Bolivia’s peasants and workers have bravely continued their struggle against the hated Rodrigo Paz. There are around 85 roadblocks across the country. Spartacist correspondents were present at the one set up in Senkata, in the city of El Alto, on the La Paz-Oruro highway. There were many people participating. In one section, it is being maintained by local residents who have organized themselves. Further along that road, heading toward La Paz, the blockade is defended by peasants affiliated with the Single Trade Union Confederation of Peasant Workers. During our visit, we witnessed the impressive arrival of peasants from Chayanta, Potosí, to reinforce the roadblock.

We were able to speak at length with some of the self-organized residents. They told us they will not give up the fight until they bring down “El Pollo” [Paz]. They pointed out that although their leaders have sold out to the government, they are determined to continue their cause. For them, this struggle is essential to prevent the Bolivian government—a puppet of Trump—from selling the country to the U.S.

However, the self-sacrifice of the fighters requires leadership that is up to the task. The COB needs to coordinate its actions and clearly show how to advance the fight. Committees within the union, through all the organizations that comprise it, could control and direct the supply of goods to the poor and middle-class populations of El Alto and La Paz, which would win a great deal of sympathy and serve as a bulwark for the movement. This could set an example that workers and peasants do not represent chaos and would lay the groundwork for managing a new economy in their own hands. It would also cut short the smear campaign the government is waging to incite the population against the movement.

It is very urgent that the COB decisively enter this fight. Paz is trying to build up strength with each passing day and seeks to launch a large-scale crackdown. He has the legal cover to do so after his enactment of a new state of siege law. A call from the COB to the soldiers—who may be mobilized in the coming days against the people—not to fire on their brothers and sisters in the population and to turn their weapons against the Washington-backed tyrant is essential at this moment. Equally essential is preparing the fighters at the roadblocks to repel the repression by organizing their own supplies, strengthening their positions, and expanding their presence. A crucial aspect is mobilizing the power of the working class, which will be crushed if the movement is defeated. This will only pave the way for Paz to go against their living conditions and privatize what little state property remains.

The government has intensified its repression in recent days. It is testing the waters and paving the way to drown the rebellion of Bolivian peasants and workers in blood and fire. On Saturday night, police and thugs from the Juventud Cruceña attacked a roadblock in San Julián, in the department of Santa Cruz. The clash lasted five hours, leaving 26 protesters injured, one seriously by gunshot. However, the brave popular resistance managed to repel them and force them to retreat.

On Sunday afternoon, the government arrested five members of the COB Executive Committee at the Villa Adela intersection as well as peasant leaders near the Bolivia Bridge, in an attempt to decapitate the movement. They were brutally beaten and humiliated. Although they have been released today, the warning is clear: anyone who opposes Paz will be treated worse than an animal. Many activists remain in jail. Freedom for all those detained!