2011 Bolivian protests

2011 Bolivian protests
Date	Mid-August – October 2011
Location	Bolivia
Caused by	Encroachment of indigenous territory Fear of internal immigration
Goals	Change of route for proposed highway; resignation of president (after 24 September crackdown)
Methods	Demonstrations, protest march, hostage taking (alleged)
Resulted in	Resignation of Defense, Interior and Deputy Interior Ministers; suspension of project
Parties to the civil conflict
Government of Bolivia Highland indigenous migrants Lowland indigenous confederation CIDOB Highland traditionalist indigenous organisation CONAMAQ Environmentalists
Lead figures
Evo Morales
Number
~2,000
Casualties
One hostage (released) Four dead, scores wounded and at least 300 detained or missing

The 2011 Bolivian protests were a series of demonstrations by indigenous peoples who opposed the construction of the Villa Tunari – San Ignacio de Moxos Highway through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory, similar to the Trans-Amazonian Highway in Brazil, the ancestral lands of over 12,000 indigenous residents, from the Chimane, Yuracaré, and Mojeño-Trinitario peoples. The subcentral TIPNIS, the Confederation of Indigenous Peoples of Bolivia (CIDOB), and the highland indigenous confederation CONAMAQ—supported by other indigenous and environmental groups—organised a march from Trinidad, Beni to the national capital La Paz in opposition to the project, beginning on 15 August 2011.

The highway project was supported by domestic migrants, highland indigenous groups affiliated with peasant organizations, and the government. During the protests the lowland tribes peoples briefly held Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca in their protests so as to pass through a police roadblock. Defense Minister María Chacón Rendón later resigned as a result of the violent crackdown on protests on 24 September that caused four deaths; due to the adverse reaction to the government crackdown Interior Minister Sacha Llorenty also resigned. On 19 October the protest march reached the capital city of La Paz amid welcomes from the local population and the Information Minister, as security services were withdrawn from their posts guarding the presidential palace. Protests were held in the national capital La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Yucomo, Rurrenabaque, Trinidad, San Antonio, El Alto and Beni.