Bolivian town reclaims municipal land used for motocross

In El Puente, Bolivia, a significant municipal property of 5 hectares has been successfully reclaimed by the community and local authorities after being encroached upon by private individuals. The land, located about a kilometer from the town center, had been transformed into a motocross circuit.

The reclamation effort was spearheaded by municipal mayor Juan Carlos Reina Caraballo, accompanied by the full town council, including its president and vice president. Civil society actors, such as representatives from social control and local neighborhood committees (OTB), also joined the initiative to assert public ownership.

Upon arrival at the site, the group found no one present, though evidence of recent activity, including dug pits, posts, and wire fencing, indicated the ongoing appropriation attempts. Communicator Haiver Egüez Guzmán, who was part of the delegation, noted that the individuals attempting to claim the land owned adjacent property.

Historically, the site served as an airstrip for small planes until the early 1980s. To solidify the community's claim and prepare the land for public use, a cleanup event ('minga') is scheduled for Saturday. This will be followed by a motocross event, inviting the broader population to participate and reaffirm their connection to the reclaimed municipal space.