After a couple years of relative tranquility in Cochabamba, this week the city returned to some of its old ways. On Monday, in response to a meeting of five of the nine prefects in Bolivia (each representing one of the regions here), protestors lined the streets surrounding the main plaza and expressed their disdain for the prefects´resistance to government initiatives that would require these leaders to be more fiscally responsible. While parties on both sides of the debate conveyed their beliefs in the plaza, local police gathered together to control the mob. When the tension reached its breaking point, the law enforcement officers launched tear gas to disperse the crowd. I heard from several people that it was the first time in two years that Cochabamban police had resorted to this tactic.
The restlessness exhibited Monday has carried on throughout the week. With the passage of the new law of land reappropriation (against the vehement disapproval of political parties that oppose the president) on Tuesday night, many civic groups have begun to organize their own form of protest. Tomorrow, a nationwide public transportation stoppage will be in effect. In addition, many private businesses have agreed to close their doors, in response to what they believe to be unauthorized and inappropriate use of power by Evo Morales.
If these complications were not enough already, today there is a city-wide public transportation stoppage in Cochabamba. Initiated by bus drivers, who have a surprising amount of influence in the city and who oppose the development of approximately 80 new routes throught the city (simply put, this means more competition for them), the main roads have been blocked to all traffic. Public transportation stoppages are quite the site in Cochabamba, as the usual clamour of automobiles in the streets is replaced by throngs of people walking or riding bikes. Unfortunately, this morning Pachamama decided to unleash a furious downpour on the city, making the early trek quite undesireable for those who braved the elements (myself included). Luckily, blockades in Cochabamba are not full-proof, and I was able to find a taxi trufi (collective taxi) that would take me to the center of town for three pesos (twice the normal rate, but still less than fifty cents). After weaving around the disgruntled protestors and their blockades for about twenty minutes, we finally escaped to the tranquility of the Prado. As I got out of the taxi, still soaking wet from the morning shower, I laughed at my Cochabamban adventure. Just another day in Bolivia, where nothing is certain and everything is debatable.