Bolivia leader asks for pardon after massive strike

[The Northerner]

Source: Agence France-Presse

LA PAZ — Following a nationwide strike by Bolivia's largest labor union, President Evo Morales asked for forgiveness from indigenous demonstrators for a violent crackdown earlier this week.

Wednesday's strike and protests were called by the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), a powerful labor federation, in support of indigenous activists who have been marching towards La Paz to protest a planned road in the Amazon.

Thousands marched from the suburb of El Alto into the capital, chanting "Evo is a fascist!" and "Evo is a lackey of Brazilian companies" expected to build the road, as miners set off sticks of dynamite.

Authorities had initially called the strike unnecessary as Morales had already late on Monday suspended plans to build the road, and the controversy has seen two government ministers resign.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ibPWns-XP0gPvsUlLcG884VgHhFw

[tcaudilllg]

1. Only forgiveness is exit n/t

[saras]

2. How come unrepentant assholes get a free ride, and whenever grows a bit they get dumped on?

It's unpleasantly characteristic of DU.

I think it's the first time EVER I've heard a government leader apologize to indigenous protesters. EVER.

[naaman fletcher]

3. Well,

I learned in the Latin American forum that these protestors are not real, but rather are funded and planned by the CIA. Therefore, I don't think Morales should apologize.

[COLGATE4]

4. Don't believe everything you read, even in DU forums. The

indigenous people of Bolivia are finding their own voice now in protesting the expropriation and spoiling of their natural resources on the part of a central government that doesn't give a rat's ass about them. They don't need the CIA to see the injustice of the project that they're protesting.

[EFerrari]

5. That would be the central government that defended them against

the violent white supremacists in Santa Cruz.

What you don't know about Bolivia is a ton.