[News] Bolivian Opposition Prepares Bosses Lockout On Monday - called by fascist coup leader

[Anti-Imperialist News]

kawsachunnews.com
<https://kawsachunnews.com/bolivian-opposition-prepares-bosses-lockout-on-monday>
Bolivian
Opposition Prepares Bosses Lockout On MondayOctober 9, 2021
------------------------------

The *civic committees* of Bolivia’s largest cities—a coalition of corporate
leaders, large landowners, and traditionally powerful families—have called
for a lockout on Monday to protest against the MAS government. The move
represents the most serious attempt at destabilization since the victory of
the MAS last year.

The lockout has been called by fascist coup leader Fernando Camacho, who, in
a video
<https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=248048183999875&external_log_id=04ab1bf4-2ae3-482b-934e-171703efc516&q=fernando%20camacho>
posted to his official channels, stated; “It’s time to show the MAS that
Santa Cruz is standing firm, this isn’t a political lockout, it’s to defend
people and liberty.” This form of bosses lockout was a tactic employed by
Camacho in 2019 during the coup against Evo Morales. It includes blocking
roads in middle and upper-class neighborhoods, while indigenous residents
have been assaulted by the lockout’s enforcers while trying to go to work.

Bolivian workers and small businesses have rejected the move, pointing out
that they work for a living, unlike the elite classes who have called this
lockout. After a devastating pandemic, the majority of people want to get
back to work. The country’s labor union federation COB stated in a recent press
conference
<https://erbol.com.bo/nacional/huarachi-%E2%80%98no-vamos-permitir-que-otra-vez-la-derecha-criolla-desde-santa-cruz-desestabilice>
:

“The country’s social movements are not going to allow destabilization
attempts, we are not going to allow the right-wing whites from Santa Cruz
to destabilize our government once again.”

Small businesses are also dismayed at the economic damage the lockout will
do and say they won’t join it. The national confederation of small
businesses, artisans, and self-employed workers posted a statement this
week saying
<https://www.facebook.com/LaResistenciaBo/posts/4344775245608082>, “We
announce our support for the government of Luis Arce Catacora who has shown
overwhelming support for the economic recovery, and has unconditionally
supported our small business family.”

Despite the overwhelming opposition to the bosses lockout, Monday’s
right-wing is expected to hold some of the largest protests seen since
before the 2019 coup.

A sense of frustration exists among Bolivians due to the fact that those
carrying out the lockout can afford to go numerous days without working,
unlike the majority of the population. Cruceñista governor, Fernando
Camacho, is a landowner and real-estate magnate, with multiple businesses
registered in Panama
<https://www.la-epoca.com.bo/2021/03/25/luis-fernando-camacho-tiene-empresas-en-panama-y-que/>
utilized for tax-dodging purposes.

Counter-protests have been called by Bolivia’s social movements for
Tuesday. Labor unions and indigenous groups will be mobilizing in La Paz,
Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, to defend democracy and reject the bosses
lockout. Recent bouts of racism by the opposition are also a mobilizing
factor, among the demands of the counter-protests is respect for the
wiphala flag.
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