Santa Cruz Indigenous Marcher Death
Account
The body of indigenous marcher Rafael Rojas Abiyuna (63) was found on October 27th, during an ongoing negotiation phase of a cross-Santa Cruz Indigenous march in defense of land and territory. (“La marcha indígena llega a Santa Cruz, pero aún no tiene respuesta del Gobierno” 2021) At the time of his death from a heart attack in Santa Cruz de la Sierra in late October, the marchers had completed their trek and were demanding negotiations with the Arce government, though their demands had still not been conceded. (“La marcha indígena llega a Santa Cruz, pero aún no tiene respuesta del Gobierno” 2021)
Abiyuna’s body was found on October 27th in the Guapilo Lagoon on the tenth ring road to Cotoca by locals who notified the police. (Agreda 2021) A rescue team was sent to investigate and retrieve the body, where it was found decomposing. (“Pericia Forense Revela Que Marchista Indígena Murió de Un Infarto” 2021) Hugo Vargas, commander of the Urban Rescue Foundation, stated that rescuers boated onto the lagoon and dragged the body back to the shore to be examined by the Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Crimen (Felcc) homicide team. (Agreda 2021) Abiyuna’s corpse was then ransferred to the Pampa de la Isla morgue. (“Pericia Forense Revela Que Marchista Indígena Murió de Un Infarto” 2021)
The following autopsy concluded that the cause of death was a heart attack and detected no signs of violence. (“Pericia Forense Revela Que Marchista Indígena Murió de Un Infarto” 2021) However, in the preliminary external examination, marks presumably caused by physical violence were observed. (Agreda 2021) Abiyuna’s body was identified by a credential found in his clothing from the Marcha indígena por la Defensa de las Tierras from Beni to Santa Cruz, as well as his identification card. (“Pericia Forense Revela Que Marchista Indígena Murió de Un Infarto” 2021) From these sources it was deduced that Abiyuna was from San Pablo, a town 12 kilometers from Ascensión de Guarayos. (“Pericia Forense Revela Que Marchista Indígena Murió de Un Infarto” 2021) The Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Crimen (Felcc) extended the investigation to determine how Abiyuna’s corpse reached the lagoon. (“Pericia Forense Revela Que Marchista Indígena Murió de Un Infarto” 2021)
Background
Lowland indigenous groups marched from Beni to Santa Cruz in defense of their land territory, and following the march they sought rapprochement with civil sectors. (“Marchistas Buscan Alianzas Con La Sociedad Civil” 2021) Indigenous Parliament spokesperson and leader of the march Marcial Fabricano affirmed that their path was defined, even though no invited national personnel were present at their legislative meetings. (“Marchistas Buscan Alianzas Con La Sociedad Civil” 2021) On October 27th they met at the Gabriel René Moreno Autonomous University (Uagrm) where they had invited four national authorities, including Luis Arce Catacora. (“Marchistas Buscan Alianzas Con La Sociedad Civil” 2021) Fabricano considered his absence “the end of the wait” and asserted that the indigenous groups would continue seeking relations with civil society. (“Marchistas Buscan Alianzas Con La Sociedad Civil” 2021) The invitation sent for October 27th gave State authorities 30 days to respond to the indigenous groups’ call for dialogue and called the ensuing silence a discriminatory response that violated their rights. (Pereyra 2021)
Adolfo Chávez, leader of the Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (Coica), stated that the march’s position alongside other social sectors signified that they would be in attendance at that week’s meeting with transporters and unions. (“Marchistas Buscan Alianzas Con La Sociedad Civil” 2021)
The march began on August 25th in Trinidad and concluded on September 30th when marchers reached the 24 de Septiembre plaza in Santa Cruz after 36 days of walking. (“La marcha indígena llega a Santa Cruz, pero aún no tiene respuesta del Gobierno” 2021) Marcial Fabricano stated on November 9th that the march would reach Santa Cruz that day, where they would present their 14-point petition. (“La marcha indígena llega a Santa Cruz, pero aún no tiene respuesta del Gobierno” 2021)