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☆ Bolivians turn out for opposition-backed 'national assembly' as protests could return
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LA PAZ/SANTA CRUZ, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Bolivians nationwide are expected to participate in an opposition-led "national assembly" on Wednesday to discuss a slew of proposals, including whether to restart protests which ignited in December over the arrest of Santa Cruz Governor Luis Camacho. Camacho's home base of Santa Cruz, a relatively wealthy agricultural stronghold, is expected to turn out the fiercest support in favor of reinstating roadblocks, which would snarl trade within the country. Bolivians in La Paz are bracing for clashes with government supporters. Prosecutors charge Camacho, who was then a Santa Cruz civic leader, with creating the "power vacuum" behind the resignation of former President Morales. Reporting by Santiago Limachi, Sergio Limachi and Monica Machicao in La Paz and Juan Pablo Blacutt in Santa Cruz; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Chris ReeseOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Bolivia taps Chinese battery giant CATL to help develop lithium riches
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Daniel Ramos | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LA PAZ, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Bolivia has chosen a consortium including Chinese battery giant CATL (300750.SZ) to help develop the South American country's huge, but largely untapped, reserves of lithium after a lengthy bidding process involving firms from the United States and Russia. The deal announced at an event in the political capital La Paz would see the CBC consortium partner on direct lithium extraction from the country's Potosi and Oruro salt flats. The companies who have remained in the race include U.S. firm Lilac Solutions, Russia's Uranium One Group and three other Chinese bidders. "Today begins the era of industrialization of Bolivian lithium," Arce said, adding that there was "no time to lose" in developing the metal. Energy minister Franklin Molina said the move showed there were "sovereign alternatives to the privatization models of lithium exploitation."

☆ Bolivia judge rules opposition governor must remain detained ahead of trial
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Manuel ClaureLA PAZ, Jan 19 (Reuters) - A Bolivian judge ruled Thursday that Santa Cruz Governor Luis Camacho, a leader long in opposition to the left-leaning federal government, must remain detained while he awaits trial. Since then, weeks of protests and blockades in Camacho's Santa Cruz region, an agricultural hub, have impacted trade with the rest of the country, putting pressure on political capital La Paz. Camacho's lawyer had appealed his four-month detention ahead of his expected trial, arguing that he was not a flight risk and should be placed under house arrest. But judge Rosmery Lourdes Pabon on Thursday ruled that he should remain imprisoned. Morales' successor, the conservative former Senate Vice President Jeanine Anez, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June for orchestrating a coup.

[1/4] Soy plants are pictured on a farm in Enconada, on the outskirts of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, January 7, 2023. The tensions underscore a sharpening of a deep-seated rivalry between Santa Cruz and La Paz - Bolivia's farming hub and the political capital respectively - that have long butted heads over politics and resources. La Paz is an Andean stronghold with a large indigenous population that has traditionally titled towards the ruling socialist MAS party. "They can't resist on their own", said Montenegro, adding the rising economic pressures would force Santa Cruz producers to re-start supply within the country. Every Santa Cruz person has to fight, all Bolivians must fight for the well-being of Bolivia, for freedom."

☆ Bolivia's Arce hopes to mend ties with Brazil as Lula takes office
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LA PAZ, Jan 2 (Reuters) - Bolivia's President Luis Arce said on Monday he hopes Brazil's new president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, will help improve diplomatic relations and explain issues that generated controversy during former President Jair Bolsonaro's mandate. Arce pointed to the supposed support of far-right politician Bolsonaro for the resignation of former leftist president Evo Morales in 2019. Like Lula, Morales had formed part of a wave of leftists who dominated Latin American politics at the start of the century. Regarding natural gas contracts, Arce's government said in May Bolivia was seeking higher prices for natural gas sold to Brazil's Petrobras (PETR4.SA), claiming current contracts with the state-run oil company generated steep losses. Lula took office promising to "mend" diplomatic relations.

☆ Hundreds of trucks snarl Bolivia farm region as blockades hit business
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Agustin Marcarian | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianPAILON, Bolivia, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Hundreds of trucks lined highways in Bolivia's farming region of Santa Cruz on Tuesday, as protesters blockaded routes out of the region following the arrest of the local governor, and hard-hit local businesses urged a return to order. Protests have gripped the lowland region since the Dec. 28 arrest of right-wing local leader Luis Camacho on "terrorism" charges related to an alleged 2019 coup against then president Evo Morales. Another source at a local business group said it would be hard for the region to maintain long protests and road blockades, with many still reeling from a lengthy strike last October and November. In Santa Cruz city, protesters have clashed nightly on the streets, burning cars and tires and offloading fireworks. "We are a peaceful people, we want peace, we want to work under normal conditions," said Gabriela Arias, protesting for Camacho's release in a women's march in Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz leaders pledge to fight until Camacho is released, picketing government buildings and stopping transport of grains. "We have a mandate from our assembly that nothing leaves Santa Cruz and that is what we are going to do," said Rómulo Calvo, head of the powerful Pro Santa Cruz civic group. Marcelo Cruz, President of the International Heavy Transport Association of Santa Cruz, said routes were being blocked so no trucks could leave the province. "No grain, animal or supply from the factories should leave Santa Cruz for the rest of the country. "Santa Cruz is the economic stronghold of Bolivia," said Gary Rodríguez, General Manager of the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade (IBCE).

The protests are the latest face-off between Santa Cruz, led by right-wing Governor Luis Fernando Camacho, and leftist President Luis Arce's government. Camacho has maintained his innocence and called his arrest and transport to La Paz, the country's capital, a kidnapping. The governor became a face for the right-wing opposition movement as a civic leader who called for leftist Morales to step down in 2019. The government has not said how it will respond to Friday's roadblocks, though some military forces were spread throughout Santa Cruz late Thursday. Reporting by Nadia Arce in Santa Cruz and Santiago Limachi in La Paz; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Leslie AdlerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Bolivia to protect big-state economic model, plans‘aggressive’ gas push: minister
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Monica Machicao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LA PAZ, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Bolivia is committed to protecting its subsidy-reliant, big-state economic model despite deficit risks and is planning an "aggressive" push into gas exploration, the economy minister told Reuters. Economy Minister Marcelo Montenegro said the government has designed "a very aggressive exploration plan" for gas in 2023, but did not go into details. The government is projecting to shrink the 2023 deficit to about 7.5%. "It is not easy, because there are contracts that will last for years, even decades ... We have to push so that more profits remain for Bolivia," Montenegro said. Reporting by Monica Machicao in La Paz Written by Daniel Ramos Edited by Nicolás Misculin, Alexander Villegas and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Explainer: Who is Luis Fernando Camacho, the opposition leader arrested in Bolivia?
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Dec 28 (Reuters) - Prominent Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho was arrested on Wednesday, exacerbating tensions between the government in La Paz and opposition centered around the affluent farming hub of Santa Cruz. The government has said Camacho has the support of elites and economic groups seeking to take control of Santa Cruz. Minister of Public Works Edgar Montano accused Camacho of planning more protests and human rights violations that would hurt the people of Santa Cruz. Why is Santa Cruz the center of opposition? Santa Cruz, one of Bolivia's most affluent and populous regions, has long butted heads with its political capital of La Paz.

[1/7] Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho receives a medical evaluation following his detention, at an undisclosed location in this image released December 28, 2022. Former President Morales said on Wednesday he hoped Camacho's detention would bring justice after three years. There was an uneasy calm Thursday in Santa Cruz, where signs of damage were visible after protests Wednesday ended with a fire set to the Santa Cruz prosecutor's headquarters. Public Works Minister Edgar Montano said on Twitter his house in Santa Cruz had been set on fire and robbed. The federal prosecutor's office said it would seek the "harshest punishment" for those responsible for damages in Santa Cruz.

☆ Accusations against detained Bolivian governor Camacho are "made up", says ex president Mesa
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/3] Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho receives a medical evaluation following his detention, at an undisclosed location in this image released December 28, 2022. TWITTER/Carlos Eduardo del Castillo del Carpio/Handout via REUTERSLA PAZ, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Bolivia's former President Carlos Mesa told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that the accusations against Luis Fernando Camacho, the governor of agricultural hub Santa Cruz who was detained on Wednesday, are made up, spurious and non-existent. Reporting by Monica Machicao; Editing by Anthony EspositoOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

LA PAZ/SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Bolivian police on Wednesday detained Luis Fernando Camacho, the governor of Santa Cruz and a prominent opposition leader, the latest sign of political tensions in a region that saw the arrest of a president in neighboring Peru earlier this month. Authorities have not said why Camacho was arrested but he recently helped lead weeks of protests that blocked streets and halted trade in Santa Cruz. Camacho was taken to a local airport to be flown to La Paz, local media reported. "The operation to kidnap the governor was carried out in the streets near his home, as he was returning from his duties," the Santa Cruz government said in a statement. Opposition Senator Erik Moron said in a video that he had been taken by helicopter to an unknown location.

Wilmaris Villarroel/via REUTERSDec 15 (Reuters) - Protests triggered by Peru's developing political crisis have stranded dozens of tourists, including children, in a remote mountain town for over 48 hours as locals refuse passage to Bolivia, a member of the group told Reuters. The Dec. 7 ouster of former President Pedro Castillo has sparked deadly street protests across Peru, as well as highway and train blockades that have stranded hundreds of tourists at Peru's Machu Picchu ruins. Villarroel told Reuters that locals would not let the group, which she says includes elderly people and children, continue their journey. Villarroel added that the buses' Bolivian drivers have been unwilling or unable to turn around, and that police presence has been minimal. Meanwhile, efforts to secure aid from foreign embassies in Peru have been unsuccessful, Villarroel said.

☆ Bolivia's key farming hub ends strike as lawmakers back census
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LA PAZ, Nov 26 (Reuters) - A 36-day general strike in Bolivia's key farming region of Santa Cruz came to an end on Saturday, as lawmakers approved a guarantee to hold a population census in 2024, which will likely hand the region more tax revenues and seats in Congress. "We are lifting the strike and the blockades," local civic leader Romulo Calvo told reporters. Bolivia's economy ministry estimates the strike has cost the country over $1 billion. The census law, which Bolivia's Chamber of Deputies passed early Saturday morning with over two-thirds of votes, has been sent to the Senate for review before it is enacted by President Luis Arce. Regional leaders in soy-rich Santa Cruz said they would remain on standby until the law is approved.

☆ In South America's Andes, farmers pray for rain to end drought
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-25 | by ( Monica Machicao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/5] An indigenous woman raises her hands in prayer asking for rain in the Lloko Lloko community, in Tihuanacu, Bolivia November 23, 2022. REUTERS/Claudia MoralesTIHUANACU, Bolivia, Nov 25 (Reuters) - High in the mountains of the Bolivian Andes, farmer Alberto Quispe has one thing on his mind: rain. The drought has hit crops in Bolivia as well as in Argentina, Paraguay and Peru. In the Andean regions, drought in recent years has caused falling water reservoir levels in places like Chile and led to important glaciers retreating. Drought has hit crops like wheat and soy, including this year in major grains producer Argentina.

☆ Coca chewing gets chic makeover with bubblegum flavor and TikTok fans
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( Monica Machicao | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] A demonstrator uses coca leaves during clashes with police over a new coca market, in La Paz, Bolivia August 8, 2022. REUTERS/Claudia Morales/File PhotoSANTIAGO, Nov 12 (Reuters) - With flavors ranging from bubble gum to passion fruit and TikTok stars promoting it, chewing coca has become the latest chic trend in Bolivia. Andean villagers have chewed coca leaves - the base ingredient of cocaine - for centuries to help ward off the effects of high altitude and hunger. Consumption of the leaves is legal in Bolivia and coca is considered by many in the region as a sacred plant. To the traditional "bolo" of coca leaves and baking soda enterprising locals are adding sweeteners and flavoring.

☆ Bolivia to temporarily suspend exports of food products amid protests
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LA PAZ, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Bolivia's government said on Wednesday it will temporarily suspend exports of food products including soy and beef amid protests in the key farming region of Santa Cruz. The move is aimed at safeguarding food security in Bolivia, said the minister of Productive Development and Plural Economy, Nestor Huanca, adding that the export suspension will include soybean grain, soybean flour, soybean meal, sugar, oil and beef. Leftist President Luis Arce has been facing protests across the country. Earlier on Wednesday, his government struck a deal with gold mining cooperatives to stop protests in the administrative capital La Paz. Reporting by Daniel Ramos, Editing by Isabel Woodford and Richard PullinOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Bolivian strike over census delay paralyzes agriculture export hub
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LA PAZ, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Thousands of people in Bolivia launched an indefinite strike on Saturday in the lowland city of Santa Cruz, a major agriculture export hub, to protest the postponement of a population and housing census which delays access to more economic resources. One death was reported by police in clashes between people who accepted the strike and those who wanted to reject it. The results of the census are important for the distribution of economic resources and defining the seats in the Bolivian parliament. Lawmakers have called for calm and agreed to continue talks until an agreement is reached that can stop the indefinite strike. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Daniel Ramos in La Paz Writing by Walter Bianchi and Cassanda Garrison Editing by Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Fact Check-Parachute display gone wrong was filmed in Honduras
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-13 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of four parachutists making haphazard landings inside a football stadium has been falsely linked by social media users to Uganda. “A parachute display by Uganda's Special Forces went somewhat tits up,” wrote one verified Twitter user as a caption (here). But the video was filmed in Honduras and is unrelated to Uganda. According to local media, 40 Air Force paratroopers conducted a display over the stadium on Sept. 15 to mark Honduras Independence Day. The video was captured in Honduras.

☆ Renato Usatîi îl acuză de manipulare pe directorul executiv al Institutului de Politici Publice, Arcadie Barbăroşie
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-02 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +2 min

Renato Usatîi, liderul Blocului Electoral cu acelaşi nume, îl acuză de manipulare pe directorul executiv al Institutului de Politici Publice, Arcadie Barbăroşie. Usatîi susţine că Barometrul Opiniei Publice, care ar urma să fie prezentat luni de IPP ar fi fals şi ar conţine date eronate despre formaţiunea sa. Directorul executiv al IPP, Arcadie Barbăroşie, nu a fost de găsit pentru o reacţie. "Usatîi susţine că legislaţia trebuia modificată, astfel încât CEC să nu le permită tuturor să efectueze sondaje:"Şi duceţi-vă la păzit harbujii sau la desenat caricaturi. "Directorul executiv IPP, Arcadie Barbăroşie nu ne-a răspuns nici la telefon şi nici la mesaj pentru un comentariu la acuzaţiile lui Usatîi.

Persons: Renato Usatîi, Arcadie Barbăroşie, Renato, Arcadie, Usatîi, Rodica Sârbu, Valeriu Pașa Organizations: Blocului, Politici, CEC Locations: Republica Moldova, obligaţie

☆ Narta Drăsliceni, noua deținătoare a Cupei Moldovei la fotbal feminin
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-11 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: 1 min

Toate golurile partidei jucate aseară pe stadionul Zimbru din Capitală au fost înscrise în prima repriză. Echipa din sudul țării a deschis scorul în minutul 12 prin Iuliana Colnic, însă Narta a reușit să întoarcă rezultatul până la pază, marcând prin Arina Bîrca și Ana Arhirii.Narta a câștigat Cupa după ce s-a clasat pe ultimul loc în campionatul Moldovei, acumulând doar un punct în cele 14 partide. De partea cealaltă Maksimum a cucerit medaliile de bronz.

Persons: Iuliana, Narta, Ana Arhirii.Narta Locations: Capitală, Iuliana Colnic, Moldovei

☆ VIDEO/ Hoții de păduri (I). Furtul de lemn din pădurile Moldovei, văzut din interiorul sistemului. Convorbiri telefonice, indicații (i)legale, solicitări politice și case de milioane
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-04 | by ( Anatolie Esanu | ) www.zdg.md time to read: +58 min

La sfârșit de martie, curent, Vasile Frunză a predat cheile de la canton și a părăsit pădurea. Cât reușești”După 15 ani de activitate în pădure, Vasile Frunză a văzut și a trăit multe. Vasile Frunză: Și o făcut „chipiș” mare oleacă, da’ n-am de unde, ce… Zic b*ea…Gheorghe Cornici: Și normal. „Noi am fost și au luat o foaie A4 și o pun pe masă la fiecare pădurar: scrie cerere de aderare la partid. Asta a fost după ce a fost restabilit în funcție, undeva a durat vreo jumătate de an.

Persons: ZdG, Vasile Frunză, pădurarul, Vasile Frunză ., de Justiție, Pădurarul, Frunză, Anatolie, Anatolie Untu, Untu, Anatolie Ivanovici, nică ., n.r, Nădejde, Liviu, Nicolae, Comîndaru, Nicolai Gheorghevici, Nicolai Gheorhevici, badea Valeri, Bun, cela, Victor de, Vasile, nică, Badea Valeri, Rotaru Gheorghe, Frunză ., Ei, ., Ivan, Aha, aha, Domnul, Gheorghe, numa, Mălai, badea, Vasilică, Ivan Mihailovici, Cornici, Eu, Voronin, Vitalie, ’, Vladimir Plahotniuc, Filat, Popșoi, pădurarului, Bujor, Ion, Haralampov, Valeriu Munteanu, Alexandru, Mihail, Valeriu Munteanu Vasile Frunză, El, Vladimir Plahotniuc ., Vineri, Ok, Vasile Frunză . El, Nicolae Comîndaru Organizations: Mediului, Agenția, de, CNA, Plus, Partidului Unității Naționale, Partidului Democrat, CA, Dlui, Volvo, Procuratura Generală, Toyota, Cruiser Locations: Moldovei, Vasile, Silvic Bobeica, Hâncești, Silva, Moldova, defrișare, CA, Chișinău, Bobeica, ., n.r ., Horodca, Zvucea, Oazic, Silvic, niș, Văsieni, Ialoveni, n.r, Israel, Mereșeni, Silvice Hâncești, Judecătoriei Hâncești, CA Chișinău, Codru, Silvice Călărași, Silvice, ZdG

☆ VIDEO/ Hoții de păduri. Furtul de lemn din pădurile Moldovei, văzut din interiorul sistemului. Convorbiri telefonice, indicații (i)legale, solicitări politice și case de milioane
▼ + stars: | 2021-06-04 | by ( Anatolie Esanu | ) www.zdg.md time to read: +58 min

Deputatul a menționat că Maia Sandu a promis că va face viața mai ușoară pentru moldoveni dacă va fi aleasă președintă a țării. Majoritatea medicamentelor s-au scumpit, unele dintre ele chiar cu o treime de când Maia Sandu a devenit președinte. „Sandu a anulat această lege sub diverse pretexte, în timp ce marea majoritate a cetățenilor așteptau acest ajutor în timpul pandemiei. Astfel, Maia Sandu a ușurat buzunarele cetățenilor cu încă 450 de lei”, a spus deputatul PSRM. În schimb, Sandu a trimis un contingent militar la un exercițiu în aplicații organizate de NATO, au remarcat socialiștii.

Persons: Sandu, Maia Sandu, Alla, PSRM, Deputatul, Socialisa, Socialiștii, PLDM, Ea, Andrei Spînu, Andrei, Darovannaia Organizations: NATO, Educației Locations: Republicii Moldova, Chișinăului, Moldova, Berlinul, Germania, Kiev, străinătate, Frontului, găgăuz, transnistrene, Condrița, shore, Republicii Modova

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