Dual power emerging in the struggle in Bolivia?

The COB, the central labor federation, has decided to continue the General Strike as the new president of Bolivia is only a change of
figureheads and does not represent the working class. Although the struggle was against selling gas through Chile, they call for not selling gas through Peru either in order to develop the industry of Bolivia.

In El Alto, which is the working class city of one million that adjoins La Paz (it is on the highest part of La Paz which is coldest-the rich live in the lowest part which is warmest) the working class has formed dual power in the last nine days through the neighborhood assemblies. There are 562 neighborhood assemblies in El Alto with a coordinating committee. There are soup kitchens on every block. The neighborhood assembly has to authorize demonstrations, marches on La Paz, etc. They have destroyed all the police stations in El Alto and no policeman who did not support the revolt is allowed in.

Bolivia was one of the World Bank's success stories and had partially forgiven part of the Bolivia foreign debt. But Bolivia is unable to pay what it still owes....

written by EARL GILMAN