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<a class="gmail-domain gmail-reader-domain" href="https://kawsachunnews.com/bolivian-opposition-prepares-bosses-lockout-on-monday">kawsachunnews.com</a>
<h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Bolivian Opposition Prepares Bosses Lockout On Monday</h1>October 9, 2021</div>
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<p>The <em>civic committees</em> 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. </p>
<p>The lockout has been called by fascist coup leader Fernando Camacho, who, in<a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=248048183999875&external_log_id=04ab1bf4-2ae3-482b-934e-171703efc516&q=fernando%20camacho"> a video</a>
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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="https://erbol.com.bo/nacional/huarachi-%E2%80%98no-vamos-permitir-que-otra-vez-la-derecha-criolla-desde-santa-cruz-desestabilice">press conference</a>:</p>
<p>“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.”</p>
<p>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 href="https://www.facebook.com/LaResistenciaBo/posts/4344775245608082"> a statement this week saying</a>,
“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.” </p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a href="https://www.la-epoca.com.bo/2021/03/25/luis-fernando-camacho-tiene-empresas-en-panama-y-que/">multiple businesses registered in Panama</a> utilized for tax-dodging purposes.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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