UPDATE: Investigations into Massacre in Bolivia

By Jessalyn Mastrianni
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

LA PAZ, Bolivia – As we reported on September 20, the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) was publically supporting Bolivia in its struggle after the massacre on the 11th of September.  That massacre killed 18 and wounded 40 people.  More than 100 people are still missing.  The victims were supporters of the Amalgamated Federation of Pando Agricultural Workers (FUTCP).  They were demonstrating and were ambushed by armed paramilitary gunmen.

The massacre was part of a group of coordinated attacks all executed in the same week.  Aside from the attacks on native Bolivian farmers, there were occupations of buildings and natural gas installations, which interfered with gas exports.  The costs of this terrorism is estimated to be $10 million.

UNASUR is now investigating the massacre under the high-level investigating commission.  This decision was made last Wednesday and Delegation President Rodolfo Mattarollo of Argentina said he expects results within a month and a half.

Bolivian News Agency publically repudiated the massacre that gave the situation global attention.  President Evo Morales’s government received international calls to support it from countries all over the world.  These countries include the United States, most of South America, and much of the European Union.

The right-wing rebellion has caused tension between Bolivia and Washington, D.C.  President Morales has expelled the US ambassador Philip Goldberg in response to US backing for the rebellion.  The United States has imposed new sanctions on Bolivia for this expulsion as well as the shutting down of the United States Agency for International Development.

For more information, please see:

International Committee of the Fourth International – Washington imposes sanctions on Bolivia – 1 October 2008

Periodico – Bolivia Receives Global Backing – 30 September 2008

Prensa Latina – USASUR Probes Pando Massacre – 1 October 2008

La Gaceta –UNASUR investigará la massacre de campesinos en Bolivia – 1 October 2008