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This will be a thread about Bolivia.
Earlier today, I received a request to retweet this video, purportedly of a pro-Morales mayor who was assaulted in the street by anti-government protesters. The person who sent me this video saw it as more evidence of a coup.
Earlier today, I received a request to retweet this video, purportedly of a pro-Morales mayor who was assaulted in the street by anti-government protesters. The person who sent me this video saw it as more evidence of a coup.
The video is unsettling. But it, and the accompanying text, provided no context. Not even a name.
I mentioned this to the person who sent it to me, and they provided me with a link to this Independent article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bolivia-protests-cut-hair-mayor-patricia-arce-mas-party-red-paint-a9193816.html
I mentioned this to the person who sent it to me, and they provided me with a link to this Independent article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bolivia-protests-cut-hair-mayor-patricia-arce-mas-party-red-paint-a9193816.html
The article names the mayor as Patricia Arce, and corroborates that she was dragged through the street, forced to resign and adds that the town hall was lit on fire.
But it also notes that the people who did this to Patricia Arce were calling her "murderer".
But it also notes that the people who did this to Patricia Arce were calling her "murderer".
This is because Limbert Guzman, a 20-year-old student, had been killed recently at a demonstration, likely murdered with an explosive device.
I have been interviewing locals about this. One claimed this mayor financed and bused in counter-protesters to assault activists.
I have been interviewing locals about this. One claimed this mayor financed and bused in counter-protesters to assault activists.
She sent along a number of tweets from local news sources documenting Guzman's death, which definitely happened. But none of those sources make it clear which side he was on, or whether the mayor was definitively involved or not. https://twitter.com/LosTiemposBol/status/1192246121055358977
A fairly decent BBC breakdown confirms that my source's story is, at least, commonly believed among protesters in Bolivia. But the BBC also did not claim to know the truth of the matter
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50332167
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50332167
So what are we left with?
A young man is dead, probably killed by police during clashes between two opposed political groups.
A (now former) mayor was beaten and abused, possibly for her role in fomenting violent attacks on protesters that left a young man dead.
A young man is dead, probably killed by police during clashes between two opposed political groups.
A (now former) mayor was beaten and abused, possibly for her role in fomenting violent attacks on protesters that left a young man dead.
I still have no "take" on Bolivia. I will not weigh in on the rumors of coups. I'm not sure where the truth lies.
But I am sure it is more complex and painful than whatever 280 character summary you've read from a Western leftist makes it out to be.
Please keep this in mind.
But I am sure it is more complex and painful than whatever 280 character summary you've read from a Western leftist makes it out to be.
Please keep this in mind.
