There are numerous reports of political arsons and vandalism in Bolivia tonight, following the resignation of Evo Morales.
Both sides have perpetrated these acts, though many voices are only describing such acts by those they oppose.
(What follows is not a complete list)
Both sides have perpetrated these acts, though many voices are only describing such acts by those they oppose.
(What follows is not a complete list)
Early on in the election protests, outraged crowds lit fires at election authority facilities. Such acts are not all that unusual in Bolivia, but the larger fire in Sucre, Potosí were out of the ordinary and destroyed election materials.
Later, in Montero anti-government protesters targeted rural organization offices and the homes of MAS leaders, a revival of tactics from the racist era of 2006-08.
These arsons were fueled by false rumors of deadly pro-MAS violence, and overshadowed by the reality of deadly pro-MAS gunfire.
A further major arson happened in Cochabamba the night of the police mutiny, when the coca growers / MAS headquarters was badly burned. paginasiete.bo/nacional/2019/…
The past few days, as pro-MAS actors attacked, took hostages from, and finally shot at anti-MAS caravans from Oruro and Potosí, the latter responded by attacking the homes of MAS governors and mayors, prompting resignations. lostiempos.com/actualidad/pai…
The latter attacks and threats of attacks seemed to generalize in the last two days, and were cited by many MAS officials as prompting their resignations. lostiempos.com/actualidad/pai…
Besides attacking the caravans, both sides have attacked reporters, media, studios, antennas, etc. opinion.com.bo/articulo/pais/… telesurtv.net/news/bolivia-g…
Since today's resignation, there have been lootings of prominent MAS and anti-government leaders homes (Evo Morales, Waldo Albarracin) as well as arsons in La Paz and El Alto. opinion.com.bo/articulo/pais/… eju.tv/2019/11/queman…
There's an urgent need for de-escalation of these attacks, but they can probably only end once all sides have confidence in a political future for Bolivia that includes them.
Clarifying that this thread is laying out the evolution of arson over the past three weeks, not just tonight. Just in case.
