IN STEREO

Unfortunately, as I work in tourism, the last two years have been very hard for me. I have been frustrated that there have been strikes. There are no people [and] the bank is cornering me. I think that for many people who work in tourism, it is the same situation. But I have supported, and I continue to support that the claims for Potosí are not crazy, they are fair. There is a theory that people tend to leave Potosí. I know that a lot of people tend to leave because the opportunities are not… At some point we will talk about it, because I have already lived it in my own flesh. I mean, the mayor has no interest in supporting various projects, such as those in tourism. People get tired of this, and they tend to leave, just as is happening nowadays. For years we’ve been told that there are valuable minerals below our city. Potosí is being [circumvented by roads], isolated to be able to mine in the open.

As a historic city – as one of the economic pillars that has sustained Bolivia and part of the world – Potosí should be one of the main centres and should have more. Not so much in terms of modernity, but in terms of services and conservation of historical heritage. The main thing they should invest in is more resources, considering that what the city gives is never repaid. In my opinion, decentralisation and autonomy should be applied, where we ourselves can manage our resources. For that, we should resort to knowledgeable people, and people who can really see the potential Potosí. At some point, we could live on tourism. We could make a real industry without chimneys. – Jacinto