Bolivia cancels controversial road plans
October 25, 2011
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Bolivia’s president Evo Morales has cancelled plans to build a controversial road through a national park more than two months after protests against it began.
The road was to cut across the Isiboro Sécure Park, home to several Indigenous communities.
The country’s first Indigenous president had been widely criticised for his u-turn on electoral promises to uphold Indigenous and environmental rights.
‘Whether they like it or not, we will build that road,’ Morales had said.
Now, two days after the marchers arrived in the capital of La Paz, Morales has announced the road will not run through the park, and the area will be made off-limits to other development projects.
A further 15 demands made by the protesters were also met in lengthy talks throughout the weekend.
Indigenous protesters have cautiously welcomed the decision but note that it has not arrived without struggle.
Police blockades sent to stop the march to La Paz ended violently last month and two government ministers consequently resigned.
