The Peace Brigades International-Colombia Project has amplified a social media a post from mullu.tv that reports:
“Repression and Persecution
Amid the ongoing protests in Bolivia against the government of Rodrigo Paz, activists Adriana Guzmán and Diana Vargas—members of the Anti-Patriarchal Community Feminism movement and Feministas del Abya Yala—were detained on May 22. Along with them, at least 60 other people were arrested during the protests demanding the president’s resignation.
Hours later, the activists were released, though they remain under investigation, in what various organizations denounce as a mechanism of persecution and intimidation against grassroots, feminist, and indigenous leaders.”
Calls for Bolivian president to step down
France 24 reports: “Bolivian riot police clashed with anti-government protesters in La Paz on Friday [May 22] for the second time in a week as unions and Indigenous groups pressed their calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Demands for the business-friendly conservative to resign have persisted despite his promise to respond to the grievances of labor unions and Indigenous communities.”
That article adds: “Trade unions began demonstrating in early May for wage increases, improved fuel supplies and economic stability. But as the weeks passed, the demonstrations snowballed into a full-blown revolt, marked by calls for the resignation of the US-backed Paz.”
Amnesty International
Amnesty International has documented that in 2025: “Environmental defenders faced attacks, persecution and criminalization. Deforestation, wildfires and mining generated pollution and endangered human rights, especially for Indigenous Peoples. Detainees suffered overcrowding and insecurity. There was a risk of impunity in connection with massacres. Feminicides and infanticides were recorded.”
Arming repression
The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC) notes: “In 2024, Bolivia imported $4.91M of Weapons, becoming the 112nd largest importer of Weapons (out of 211) in the world. During the same year, Weapons were the 73rd most imported product (out of 96) in Bolivia. In 2024, Bolivia imported Weapons primarily from: Brazil ($1.39M), Czechia ($1.22M), Spain ($854k), Italy ($849k), and Argentina ($278k).”
Their page adds: “The fastest growing origins for Weapons imports in Bolivia between 2023 and 2024 were: Italy ($569k), Spain ($200k), and Germany ($109k).”
Italy, Spain, Germany, along with Brazil, Czechia, Argentina, are expected to be at the CANSEC arms show in Ottawa this coming May 27-28.
We continue to follow this.
