Workers' Center presents government with eight-point agenda to "pacify" Bolivia

The Bolivian Workers' Center (COB) has presented an eight-point agenda to President Rodrigo Paz's government, aiming to "pacify" Bolivia after more than a month of protests and road blockades organized by the union and peasant syndicates.

COB leader Mario Argollo stated that the agenda, sent in writing, includes demands related to human rights, organic guarantees, and pacification. It seeks to ensure the "right to mobilization" and prevent sanctions against protest organizers. Other points cover the fulfillment of electoral commitments, economic sovereignty, protection of public companies from privatization, transparency in corruption and drug trafficking cases, and maintaining fuel prices.

The union also demands mandatory consultation on any "macroeconomic" measures, protection of the "popular pocket," attention to salary demands, and defense of protected areas under a "pacifist principle." Argollo warned that if the government does not address these demands, the COB will "massify" the protests and road blockades that began in May.

These demonstrations, initially demanding Paz's resignation, have been joined by sectors aligned with former President Evo Morales. However, Argollo distanced the COB from Morales, who has urged his supporters to maintain blockades without dialogue until Paz resigns. President Paz acknowledged his constitutional powers to act but emphasized dialogue over force, noting a recent decrease in road blockades. He stated his willingness to negotiate with those having "just demands" while applying the law to those with "political attitudes."

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