Economic measures spark anger in Bolivia

Thousands of people demonstrated in the Bolivian capital, La Paz, during protests that broke out to demand the cancellation of a decree issued by President Rodrigo Paz, which stipulates economic adaptation measures and other measures that facilitate investments in strategic areas.

This demonstration was organized by the country’s largest union federation, the Bolivian Workers’ Confederation, but was joined by about 100 social organizations, such as unions of agricultural workers, urban and rural education workers, and the union federation of miners.

The Bolivian government discussed the issue with representatives of social movements, who submitted comments on the presidential decree. The most controversial article when the decree was issued, last December 17, was the one that abolishes fuel subsidies, which led to an increase in gasoline and diesel prices by 86% and 160%, respectively.

However, the unions criticize other points in the law, especially those that allow contracts between the government and strategic investments to be implemented by presidential decree, bypassing their treatment in the legislative institution. The decree defines strategic sectors as mining and minerals (including lithium), hydrocarbons and energy, and agro-food industries, among other sectors. Based on this part of the law, the demonstration was called “Bolivia Not Sold.” About “El Pais”