Radio Erbol from Bolivia reported today -in communication with ALER news agency- that President Morales backed off from his initial proposal by announcing that it will submit the controversial works in Isiboro Secure Indigenous National Park (TIPNIS) to popular consultation.
Morales decided to leave the decision to Beni and Cochabamba’s local authorities. “The two beneficiary departments shall decide. In the meantime the project will be called off”, said Morales, who justified the highway construction project based on local population’s demands.

The indigenous groups who are against the initiative are afraid of the negative impacts it may have on the local vegetation, animal and fresh water reserve. And they have reason to fear: this is the main source of livelihood for these communities that live mainly on hunting, fishing and fruit gathering.

After Morales’ announcement, confirmed in a press conference on Monday evening, the works were suspended. However the indigenous march seems to continue to the country’s capital, La Paz.

“Today we have no guarantee”, said a leader after the presidential resolution. The march is 500 km from La Paz. Erbol reported that over 40 people were injured during the strong repression during the weekend.

Other social organizations have severely criticized the Bolivian government. The report by the Bolivian Forum on Environment and Development (Fobomade) says that the indigenous who were repressed on Sunday have endured terrible harassment by the media and tens of strategies planned by the government to sabotage the demonstration”.

The conflict also had other consequences for Morales’ administration. The Defense Minister, Cecilia Chacon, resigned over disagreements with the repression ordered by Morales, which she said can neither be “defended nor justified”.

Meanwhile, the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) is currently assessing whether to continue with the national strike in solidarity with the indigenous peoples it had called for Wednesday 28.

Photo: Fobomade