IN STEREO

Well, the important things were the specialty hospital, then usually the roads, an airport, factories. We want an international airport; we want [tourists] to arrive direct. Not, let’s say, through neighbouring or intermediary cities like Uyuni, right? [It was important] that we achieve that goal, and the cement factory. We have what’s needed, don’t we? And preservation of the rich mountain – that was a very important point as well, and that was a serious situation. The preservation of the Cerro Rico, that’s heritage. That’s for everyone, but it’s special for Potosí. In the blockades, we distribute ourselves in different social sectors. For example, it can be university students, mining cooperatives, other neighbourhood groups – different social sectors, each with an exclusive task there. The leaders in charge, the managers, have handovers, and they’re organised. Well, this union was in order to respect dignity, wasn’t it?

And that we all speak a single language, so that there is more strength – or unity – with that. You know the saying, ‘unity makes strength’. Let’s say that only one sector is talking: the government, the rulers, can try to separate us somehow. They try to separate and like that, a civil war or something similar could be happening. Lest that happen, ask as one person. That is, be more of a force: one voice. Like that, we can achieve our goals. Many peasant sectors were with the people, with the people’s requests. There was an opposition sector, possibly bribed, according to almost everyone. There are people that have gone as you say, by some order: by force, by obligation. But I was more willing, as a proud Potosíno and for the dignity of Potosí. In my case, personally, that’s the reason. It was more a matter of vindication. – Lorenzo