Overview of Land and History 43New waves of demonstrators come to the aid of the
students and police, now demanding that the president
resign. Protests spread to other cities. Soldiers are sighted
on balconies and building tops, as snipers. Deaths follow,
including a nurse who was helping the wounded and a man
parading a white pacifi st fl ag.
Goni fi nally backs down, rescinding the tax and fi ring
his cabinet.
2003 September and October: the Gas War
Protesters from El Alto, the most indigenous large city
in the Américas, rise up against a pro-multinational
government plan that would allow foreign investors to
exploit the newly discovered natural gas resources. The
plan would have sent the gas through Chile, already a
sore point, and the receiving end was to be Mexico
and California. Meanwhile, El Alto residents cannot
afford their own household gas. One of the companies
involved in the deal is Sempra Energy (which has made
more than a half billion dollars during the California
energy crisis).
The protests spread, blockades are erected throughout
the country, oil installations are occupied and a full
unarmed insurrection is fl aring through the country. Once
again Goni, called by The Economist ‘a pro-American free-
marketeer’ is willing to use the military in an attempt
to quell the disturbances. An estimated 59 people are
killed. Following the massacre, Goni and his architect of
public order Sánchez Berzain resign and fl ee to Miami.
Goni later claims to BBC radio that druglords are behind
the uprising.
Firm Promises
Goni’s vice-president, journalist Carlos Mesa, has cautiously
distanced himself from the repression. Mesa becomes interim
president, promising a referendum on energy exploitation and
new elections, and vowing to never use mortal power against
his people.