Bolivian coca farmers march on capital, burn disputed market
LA PAZ (Reuters) – Hundreds of coca farmers marched into the Bolivian capital of La Paz on Thursday and set ablaze to what they claimed was an unlawful new marketplace for the leaf.
The growers, who marched 5 days from the Yungas area north of La Paz, broke via police traces and attacked with dynamite, firecrackers and Molotov cocktails. Nobody was significantly injured.
The market was established in October 2021 along with two current wholesale coca markets chartered beneath Bolivian legislation in La Paz and Cochabamba. In these markets, coca portions and patrons are regulated.
The nation’s politicized coca sector has been in disagreement over which market in La Paz is authorized.
Agustin Mamani, one of many march’s leaders, stated the marchers numbered greater than 10,000. No official crowd estimates had been out there.
Esar Apaza, the indigenous chief of a bunch demanding the closure of the brand new coca market, blamed the federal government of President Luis Arce for permitting it to open.
“The federal government and its ministers are answerable for this,” Apaza stated.
The coca leaf has lengthy been grown within the Andes for its dietary and medicinal advantages, whereas additionally being the uncooked materials for cocaine.
The coca growers stated they’d not return to their areas till the federal government resolves the battle.
(Reporting by Daniel Ramos; Enhancing by Cynthia Osterman)
