Bolivia: Economic Breakers Ahead

Juan Rey

Labor Action, 22nd December, 1952

Bolivia: Economic Breakers Ahead

[...] The stagnation of the “national revolution” has also been manifested in the Central Obrera Boliviana, the central trade union federation, which before nationalization had become of the greatest importance and was looked on as a dual government. Now, because of the yellow role played by Lechin and Boutron on the issues of compensation and workers’ control, the Central Obrera has been subordinated to the eclectic and pro – capitalist policy of the cabinet, and therefore has lost its former importance as the centre of political and ideological power.

The cabinet’s turn to the right has provoked much criticism of the “workers’ ministers” within the Central; the POR faction demanded their resignation from the cabinet. But Lechin, Boutron and Chavez [the peasant minister] have consolidated support for their policy as against the POR’s attack, and with the support of the Stalinists of the PIR have conquered a majority of 23 against 4 in favour of their participation in the government [...].

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