Post by diane9247 on Aug 27, 2016 4:14:37 GMT
Reuters Fri Aug 26, 2016
Rodolfo Illanes 
Minister Illanes had gone to Panduro to negotiate with miners when he was kidnapped by them and killed. His assistant was also beaten and is in intensive care in La Paz. Bolivia is South America's poorest country and its main commodities are tin, zinc, silver and other metals mined in the mountainous center of the country. Global prices for these metals have recently fallen, drastically lowering the incomes of the miners, who work for co-operatives. They are demanding that the government suspend environmental laws so they can increase their output.
The brutal murder of Mr. Illanes has horrified the country. "Police said they had rounded up dozens for questioning in Oruro and La Paz. No-one has yet been charged for the killing." The exact location of his death was located on Street View using photos, a video and other information in the Reuters report.
Bolivian Dep. Min. killed on hill above.kmz (1.02 KB)
"Deputy Interior Minister Rodolfo Illanes, 56, was beaten to death on Thursday after being taken hostage by miners who had blocked a major highway near Panduro..."
Minister Illanes had gone to Panduro to negotiate with miners when he was kidnapped by them and killed. His assistant was also beaten and is in intensive care in La Paz. Bolivia is South America's poorest country and its main commodities are tin, zinc, silver and other metals mined in the mountainous center of the country. Global prices for these metals have recently fallen, drastically lowering the incomes of the miners, who work for co-operatives. They are demanding that the government suspend environmental laws so they can increase their output.
Their list of demands also includes being allowed to sign contracts with private companies, the reduction of tariffs on imported machinery, and government subsidies to help defray energy costs. They also do not want their subcontracted workers to be allowed to form unions.
[President Evo] Morales, an ex-coca grower, nationalized Bolivia's resources sector after taking power in 2006, initially winning plaudits for plowing the profits into welfare programs.
But his government has been dogged by accusations of cronyism and authoritarianism in recent years. Some workers have soured on him as falling commodity prices have crimped spending.
[President Evo] Morales, an ex-coca grower, nationalized Bolivia's resources sector after taking power in 2006, initially winning plaudits for plowing the profits into welfare programs.
But his government has been dogged by accusations of cronyism and authoritarianism in recent years. Some workers have soured on him as falling commodity prices have crimped spending.
The brutal murder of Mr. Illanes has horrified the country. "Police said they had rounded up dozens for questioning in Oruro and La Paz. No-one has yet been charged for the killing." The exact location of his death was located on Street View using photos, a video and other information in the Reuters report.
Bolivian Dep. Min. killed on hill above.kmz (1.02 KB)