A new book by Jose Luis Saavedra, published by Kamake Publishing House features the work of Ruth Alipaz Cuqui. The book is based on a “series of conversations with the most important indigenous leader of contemporary Bolivia: Ruth Alipaz Cuqui, who is originally from the Uchupiamona nation and currently a member of the leadership of the National Coordinator for the Defense of Indigenous Peasant Territories and Protected Areas of Bolivia (CONTIOCAP).” The primary content is: “fundamentally the struggles and mobilizations led by indigenous peoples and communities in and for the defense of water, territory and life. And why this struggle, for the radicalization of modern colonial and capitalist extractivism that was adopted -in Bolivia- both by the MASist regime and by the group of transnational companies that, with everything and nationalization, continue to operate in the country and plunder -with impunity - our natural resources and common goods.”
Through these conversations, the history of how “mobilizations led by the women leaders of the territorial resistance…managed - practically - to paralyze the extractive megaprojects so eagerly promoted by the government of President Evo” is shared. “These marvelous indigenous victories are therefore extremely important since, in fact, the MAS government - with all its repressive force - has not been able to build the mega hydroelectric plants in Bala Chepete, or in Rositas; Nor has it been able to build the trans-coca highway through the TIPNIS and, most importantly, it has not been able to enter the Tariquia Reserve.”
Given that the Bolivian government has issued a call for technical design proposals for the proposed El Bala and Chepete megadams by the end of July 2021, these battles are not yet over. (see previous news item).
For more information about the new book, see this Spanish-language article.