Recent Observations in Bolivia
More Strikes
Following a stalemate in most recent negotiations between local governments and the transport union, a transportation strike was called for Monday and Tuesday for all of La Paz, including all buses and taxis. This meant that virtually all of La Paz would come to a complete standstill, as dozens of buses and taxis could be seen parked in front of intersections which essentially blocked the flow of all traffic. Taxi drivers crossing the picket line were dealt with harshly.
…And more strikes
This from the sex workers of Bolivia, numbering around 45,000. Their objective here was to stop the doctors and nurses from striking. The sex workers in Bolivia are forced to undergo weekly check-ups, hence the connection, I am guessing.
Airline Belly Up
The famous airline Aero Sur, besides BOA the major airline from Bolivia, recently closed its gates for one final time after being unable to agree with the government on a tax settlement resulting from its many debts. This leaves a hole here in South American travel, one other airlines are seeking to exploit.
Slaves
80 Bolivian slaves were freed from a sweatshop in Argentina. Some slaves, most of them sewing in a textile sweatshop, were as young as twelve years old.
Hugo Chavez
According to a 'very reliable' source, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez is said to be in the end stage in his fight for cancer. That doesn't appear to have much to do with Bolivia, but we need to remember that President Morales is one of his closest allies here in Latin America. We have to hope he's not too reactionary should Chavez be a goner.
OAS
Also known as the Organization of American States, the OAS will hold its conference here in Cochabamba next week. That's hundreds of delegates from dozens of countries laying siege to Cochabamba. Hillary Clinton said she would not attend.
Glaciers
And finally, some genius finally acknowledged that the melting glaciers here in the Andes might, just might be caused by global warming. Hard to imagine that hotter temperatures can make ice melt, let alone much faster than we thought.
Following a stalemate in most recent negotiations between local governments and the transport union, a transportation strike was called for Monday and Tuesday for all of La Paz, including all buses and taxis. This meant that virtually all of La Paz would come to a complete standstill, as dozens of buses and taxis could be seen parked in front of intersections which essentially blocked the flow of all traffic. Taxi drivers crossing the picket line were dealt with harshly.
…And more strikes
This from the sex workers of Bolivia, numbering around 45,000. Their objective here was to stop the doctors and nurses from striking. The sex workers in Bolivia are forced to undergo weekly check-ups, hence the connection, I am guessing.
Airline Belly Up
The famous airline Aero Sur, besides BOA the major airline from Bolivia, recently closed its gates for one final time after being unable to agree with the government on a tax settlement resulting from its many debts. This leaves a hole here in South American travel, one other airlines are seeking to exploit.
Slaves
80 Bolivian slaves were freed from a sweatshop in Argentina. Some slaves, most of them sewing in a textile sweatshop, were as young as twelve years old.
Hugo Chavez
According to a 'very reliable' source, Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez is said to be in the end stage in his fight for cancer. That doesn't appear to have much to do with Bolivia, but we need to remember that President Morales is one of his closest allies here in Latin America. We have to hope he's not too reactionary should Chavez be a goner.
OAS
Also known as the Organization of American States, the OAS will hold its conference here in Cochabamba next week. That's hundreds of delegates from dozens of countries laying siege to Cochabamba. Hillary Clinton said she would not attend.
Glaciers
And finally, some genius finally acknowledged that the melting glaciers here in the Andes might, just might be caused by global warming. Hard to imagine that hotter temperatures can make ice melt, let alone much faster than we thought.
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