Brazil Alert

Tensions in Bolivia remain high as residents of the eastern provinces of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando and Tarija prepare to launch a 24-hour strike on 8 September 2006. Reports indicate that coca growers, farmers and other supporters of President Evo Morales have stated that they are willing to take up arms against opponents and to defend the current administration. Meanwhile, the armed forces will launch an investigation into the groups organizing the strike.

The protest action has been called to demand respect for the Constitution and the Constitutional Assembly's law, as well as the honoring of the results of the 2 July referendum, in which locals of these provinces voted for greater independence from the central government. The threats of a strike did not suffice to halt the approval of the assembly's law by members of the ruling party.