Chapare Soldiers Killed Sep 2004
On September 28, 2004, cocaleros Juan Choque (37) and Genaro Canaviri (35) were killed in clashes with the Fuerzas de Tarea Conjunta (FTC), and police. (“La violencia vuelve a teñir de sangre al Chapare” 2004) Choque was shot around 9:00 a.m. in the Bustillos community, in the Aroma region bordering Isiboro Sécure Park. (“La violencia vuelve a teñir de sangre al Chapare” 2004) Canaviri was fatally injured in the Icoya region, in the San Pedro community. (“La violencia vuelve a teñir de sangre al Chapare” 2004) Some accounts number 14 injured, 5 of whom were uniformed soldiers. (“La violencia vuelve a teñir de sangre al Chapare” 2004) Cocalero leader Leonila Zurita counts 39 cocaleros injured. (Zuazo 2004)
The FTC set up three military camps near Isiboro Sécure Park, and groups of cocaleros gathered to stop the soldiers’ advance through the Chacos region. (“La violencia vuelve a teñir de sangre al Chapare” 2004) Other sources state the vigil’s aim was to prevent the soldiers from leaving their barracks. (“Disparan contra la coca: un muerto y varios heridos en el Chapare” 2004)
Military reports state cocaleros threw sticks of dynamite and other projectiles at the military camps. (Zuazo 2004) They also number around 300 cocaleros that attempted to take the military camp by force. (“Disparan contra la coca: un muerto y varios heridos en el Chapare” 2004) The FTC then responded to cocaleros by shooting at them. (Zuazo 2004) Cocalero leaders say that the military fired at the cocaleros indiscriminately and acted with extreme violence. (“Disparan contra la coca: un muerto y varios heridos en el Chapare” 2004) Cocaleros were shot with firearms, tear gas, and pellets. (Contreras Baspineiro 2004)
Conflict in the Cochabamba region had been building up since September 19, and before the clash on September 28th there had already been four clashes between the FTC and cocaleros that week. (“Disparan contra la coca: un muerto y varios heridos en el Chapare” 2004) Over twenty people were injured in beatings and violent confrontations, and several were detained. (“Disparan contra la coca: un muerto y varios heridos en el Chapare” 2004)
Juan Choque was the first death from coca eradication under President Carlos Mesa. (“Retorna la violencia al Chapare con la muerte de un cocalero.” 2004) Mesa’s anti-drug policy, which is heavily endorsed by the US, hinges on coca eradications. (“Disparan contra la coca: un muerto y varios heridos en el Chapare” 2004) The “New Bolivian Comprehensive Strategy for the Fight against Drug Trafficking 2004-2008” requires 958 million dollars, 10% percent of which will come from Bolivia, and the rest largely from the US. (Contreras Baspineiro 2004) This policy aimed to eradicate all coca in the Chapare of Cochabamba and to implement voluntary eradication in Los Yungas of La Paz. (Contreras Baspineiro 2004) Coca growing in the Chapare region is prohibited by Anti-drug law. (Zuazo 2004)