We’ll stay at home today.

There is a nationwide “paro”, or work stoppage, for all commercial transportation. No taxis or buses will run. The gas stations are probably blockaded as well, to discourage personal vehicles from being on the road. You can use your personal vehicle, though there is risk being drug from your car and beaten senseless, so wise folks only go out for emergencies. We, of course, stocked up at the grocery store yesterday, along with about 200 other Bolivians at I.C. Norte (our preferred grocery store). No trash services or water delivery will take place today, but we have three spare 5 gallon-bottles of water in the pantry. The paro is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, though if the workers demands are not met, it could continue into next week.

The miners are continuing their strike in the Potosí departamento (state). The miners are objecting because only government workers are allowed to work in some mines, while the other [non-affiliated] miners go without jobs. Violence has erupted in those areas and surrounding areas and several people have been killed or wounded. Dynamite is the weapon of choice. [It’s what they have at hand.]

The conflict between the capitalists in the Southeast departamentos and the federal socialist government continue. The primary issue is that the Constitutional Assembly, which is 55% socialist, is redefining itself and the Constitution of Bolivia, assuming absolute authority. The Departamento governments object, due to well-grounded fears that the resulting constitution will create a communist government along the lines of Cuba.

The Supreme Court has decided against the president, who says he doesn’t care what they say or what they want, stating the Court itself is corrupt and decadent. He will ignore the constitutional process determined by the Legislature, and hold a national referendum some time next year on his new constitution. On the television news from La Paz, there are scenes of protests, with placards that read “Coup”. The usual discussions of potential civil war are discussed, with neither side giving an inch. There are valid core differences between the sides, and the future of this region of South America is at stake.

Rumors fly that the President has invited Venezuelan troops into the country – though most doubt this to be true. He has, however, proposed joint bases with Venezuela along the border Bolivia shares with Paraguay. Since Venezuela is three countries away, the assumption is that this is a way to position troops to surround the potential separatist departamentos. A US think tank upgraded Bolivia’s war potential to “On the Brink”.

So, we’ll be staying home today. Cyn wanted to try out the new dish she learned… Pique Macho [Male Rivalry]. It’s a great meat dish made with Beef, Sausage, some veggies and a soy-papaya sauce that smells great! If you want the recipe, I’m sure she would share. She’s looking forward to sharing this recipe with our churches when we return for furlough.

Besides, It is a good time for communicating with our friends in the States, doing home projects, and of course, studying our Spanish.

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