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Why have we reclaimed it? Not for us, because tomorrow we are going to die. But what about the children? What will become of them? You see, we do not have factories – we have nothing here in Potosí. We live from what we can. We don’t even have a factory at the least, not for paper or for nails, or anything. So, we look where our children are going to work. Our children come out professionals, but they don’t have anywhere to go and work. Where else then? It is forced that they have to go elsewhere. That’s what makes us angry. I think that in Potosí we strike for the future of our children [and] our grandchildren, more than anything. Because tomorrow, they will begin to work that mountain. At the time of the 27 days, we wanted to become Chileans. I supported Argentina. Argentina said, “Come,” didn’t they? And Chileans: “Right now, we’ll grab Potosí,” for the Uyuni Salt Flat. Very convenient now, the Uyuni Salt Flat. What are they doing? [Mining] lithium. Now, that should also give us work, shouldn’t it? What has the government done? They preferred to give it to the Chinese. Well, we only wanted our factories.

They promise us, but they do not give us anything. Words [and] more words, but so far, we have nothing. You see the way they treat us now? I’m already tired. What’s ours, it has to be here 100%. That has always been our heritage. It is for us; it is for my people. Every resource is for my people. I can’t share with other people, with other regions. To the Palestinians: keep going and be strong. Always rescue everything that is yours. Do not let them conquer. Always be united, more than anything. Because if they are going to disunite – one is going on one side and another on another side – they will lose everything. They all have to be united in order for them to move forward, so that they are not taken away by Israel. They have to fight, not for them, but for the future of their children. At least here in Potosí, I think we will fight. As [resistance leader during the War of the Pacific with Chile, Eduardo] Abaroa said, “Let your grandmother surrender!” Come back any time – if I’m alive, I will continue to tell you many things. And bring me a nice present from over there, so that I remember you. – Doña Carmen

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