Bolivian Coca Growers Push for Road Completion
Created: 2012-01-27:05.24
Category: World > South America
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Bolivian cocoa growers marched on Thursday for the completion of the controversial road crossing, known as the Amazon.
[Protester]:
"When there's a road here, our people will be better off. Our community will have health care and education.”
Construction of the road, which crosses a reserve known as TIPNIS, was called off late last year after incessant protests from indigenous people who live in the area.
But now the protesters want to overthrow the TIPNIS law that prohibits large construction projects in the reserve.
[Reinaldo Semu, Protester]:
"We are marching against the TIPNIS law and for the development of the indigenous communities. We want the road through the TIPNIS that connects San Ignacio de Mojos and Villa Tunari."
[Reinaldo Semu, Protester]:
"But when there is a road in the TIPNIS, we don't want people to be subjugated and we don't want people to exploit the TIPNIS.”
Around 800 people from the southern part of the TIPNIS reserve crossed through the Bolivian high plains.
The marchers, among them women and children, hope to reach La Paz by next week.
The controversy is a major challenge for President Evo Morales, pitting him against some in his indigenous base.
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