Body Count Rises In Bolivia As Government And Opposition Argue Over Armament Of Paramilitaries

The death toll has risen in Bolivia as Evo Morales’ government and opposition leaders clash, accusing one another of arming paramilitary troops. Morales has publicly declared that his opposition is mounting a “fascist, racist coup” and that Governor or Pando, Leopoldo Fernandez, has brought in hired killers to shoot poor villagers who support Morales. Worst party ever:

“Political, civic and union leaders must know that whatever happens from now on — whether this country becomes a peaceful and harmonious society or a battleground — will be because of their work,” the daily La Razon editorialized Sunday.

The government and the opposition called Sunday for an independent investigation into Thursday’s killings in Pando, a sparsely populated province along the Amazonian frontiers with Brazil and Peru.

In La Paz, Interior Minister Alfredo Rada said 10 more bodies had been found. That would bring the death toll to at least 26 in Thursday’s confrontation. Two more deaths were reported Friday in Pando, when the army retook control of the airport in Cobija, the provincial capital. The army is now patrolling the province, which is under martial law.

Wrestling cholitas are never around when you need them. In all seriousness, we hope this conflict is resolved as quickly and peacefully as possible for the sake of all the Bolivians caught in the crossfire as their leaders fart around, chewing coca.

Bolivia death toll rises [LA Times]