Bolivian Farmers Force Repeal of Land Law After 560-Mile March as Extractive Push Widens
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Bolivian Farmers Force Repeal of Land Law After 560-Mile March as Extractive Push Widens
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Summary
Hundreds of Bolivian peasant and Indigenous protesters forced the government in May to repeal an April land law after a month-long march of more than 560 miles to La Paz.
The law let constitutionally protected small family plots be converted into medium-sized holdings, raising fears of foreclosure, corporate buyouts and faster deforestation as agribusiness expanded.
That victory has not eased broader anger at President Rodrigo Paz, who took office in November and is accused by activists of deepening extractive policies through agribusiness-friendly appointments, HB4 soy approval and carbon-market plans.
In May, Paz also struck a deal with mining cooperatives to ease operations in protected areas and Indigenous lands, after an April resolution relaxed legal requirements for nearly 4,000 non-compliant mines.
The clashes extend beyond land: Petrobras has sought a criminal investigation into 17 Tariquía reserve activists after police cleared their blockade, reinforcing claims that environmental defenders are being sidelined as extraction accelerates.