The “Morales Highway” halted amid fierce protests
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has announced that the much talked about Amazon highway, traversing 185 miles of forest, is to be halted amid fierce protests from the Yucomo region. Protests over the weekend were fierce, with tear gas used and many detained protesters.
Bolivia’s President Evo Morales has announced that the much talked about Amazon highway, traversing 185 miles of forest, is to be halted amid fierce protests from the Yucomo region. Protests over the weekend were fierce, with tear gas used and many detained protesters.
It appears that they have finally gotten their message across as it was announced the road work would be halted indefinitely, until both provinces involved approve the work in a referendum. Several were injured on Sunday during the violence which broke out approximately 185 miles north of La Paz.
Defence Minister Cecilia Chacon has quit over the protests stating, "This is not the way! We agreed to do things differently," in her resignation letter. The President has denied ordering the break up of the march and condemned any violence that took place.
Morales has been under fierce pressure to halt the building of the road, especially from the indigenous Indian population, who normally back the leader. He has been in office since 2005 and is the first Bolivian leader of indigenous descent. As such he has helped ease tensions in the country, but this latest $420 million project has tested the indigenous populations. The president was named ‘World Hero of Mother Earth’ for 2009 by the UN General Assembly.