In Cochabamba, Bolivia, farmer Damaris Masias witnesses her tomato harvest wasted due to ongoing roadblocks supporting former President Evo Morales, under investigation for alleged sexual crimes. The roadblocks, which have caused significant economic losses, have disrupted the transport of agricultural goods. While farmers seek alternative shipping methods, the situation has led to rising prices and diminishing sales in local markets. As critical supplies are cut off, fears grow for the region’s food security.
In the heart of Cochabamba, Bolivia, Damaris Masias watches in despair as her freshly harvested tomatoes are discarded, alongside other rotting produce, in a local market. Tears well in the eyes of the 48-year-old farmer as she reflects on the effort that went into her crop, which totaled 10 tons cultivated in Omereque, approximately 270 kilometers away.
After facing a grueling nine-day journey, the goods that typically take just eight hours to transport have arrived late for sale at the central market, leading to significant losses. “There are people in need; so many sacrifices have been made,” she laments to AFP, surrounded by similar scenes of wasted chili peppers and green beans.
Since October 14, supporters of the former president Evo Morales have been blocking major roads across Bolivia in response to allegations against him regarding the sexual assault of a minor during his presidency. Morales claims he is being targeted by political opponents, including current President Luis Arce, who was once his ally.
Reports indicate that there are currently 24 roadblocks nationwide, the majority situated in Cochabamba, a stronghold of Morales and his largely indigenous peasant supporters.
At a nearby wholesale market, a long line extends about 300 meters outside an office of the Boliviana de Aviacion airline. People clutch parcels, eager to find a way to ship their goods. “We are searching for air transport options to prevent spoilage,” states Christian Vrsalovic, a dairy manufacturer now facing transportation costs that have quintupled in response to the disruptions. Some customers have been waiting since early morning.
The agricultural sector in Cochabamba has suffered substantial financial losses due to the blockades, amounting to approximately $20 million, according to the Bolivian National Confederation of Agriculture (Confeagro). “Cochabamba is vital to the economy. It serves as the transit hub for all agro-industrial exports from Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s wealthiest department, before they reach international ports in Arica, Chile, where they earn vital foreign currency for our nation,” notes Rolando Morales, vice-president of Confeagro.
– Economic Challenges Intensify –
In another local market, Ana Luz Salazar, a 55-year-old vendor, arranges unsold chickens, whose prices have surged from $2 to $3.40 per kilo since the blockades began, severely impacting her sales. “Customers complain. They say it’s too expensive, and many just walk away without buying,” she expresses.
On the outskirts of Cochabamba, the empty sheds of a poultry farm stand in stark contrast to normal operations. “We had to sell 15,000 laying hens before their time was up to maintain a balanced feed supply for the remaining flocks,” describes Ivan Carreon, a 48-year-old poultry farmer.
Soya and corn, essential feed for local poultry farms, are supplied from the nearby department of Santa Cruz, which is currently facing access road closures. The situation is even more dire for red meat production, as cattle without food could die within a week, warns Rolando Morales, who insists that the label ‘granary of Bolivia’ for the region has become a hollow phrase amidst these hardships.