Bolivia's Protestor Deaths: A Tragic Count

The topic of how many protestors have been killed in Bolivia is a pressing issue that gained prominence in 2019, amidst violent clashes between supporters of former President Evo Morales and security forces. The death toll in these clashes continued to rise, with security forces opening fire on pro-Morales protestors in Sacaba, resulting in a minimum of five deaths, according to some sources, and eight, according to others. The national ombudsman reported a total of 19 deaths since the disputed election on October 20, 2019, while other sources cite a figure of 37 deaths in protest-related violence. These figures highlight the tragic loss of life and the volatile situation that unfolded in Bolivia during this period.

At least 37 people were killed in protest-related violence, with over 800 injured

At least 37 people were killed in protest-related violence in Bolivia, with over 800 injured. The violence occurred during demonstrations in October and November 2019, following allegations of electoral fraud in the October 2019 elections. The protests were largely led by supporters of former President Evo Morales, who had resigned and fled the country amid the allegations.

Morales supporters clashed with security forces and opponents of the former president. In Sacaba, a town in central Bolivia, at least eight people were killed when security forces opened fire on protesters. Witnesses said that most of those killed and injured had bullet wounds. The violence in Sacaba was described as a “massacre” by Morales, who condemned the interim government led by Jeanine Áñez.

The protests in Bolivia turned deadly as demonstrators attempted to cross military checkpoints and security forces used tear gas and opened fire on protesters. The National Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ombudsperson's Office documented cases of arbitrary detentions and torture by police in the city of El Alto.

The violence resulted in a high number of casualties, with at least 37 people killed and over 800 injured. The death toll included 20 people who died in two massacres in Sacaba and Senkata, where witnesses reported that state forces opened fire on pro-Morales demonstrators. The interim government, led by Áñez, was criticised for issuing a decree that granted the military broad discretion in the use of force, potentially contributing to the deadly outcome of the protests.

The protests and their violent suppression highlight the political instability and social unrest in Bolivia during this period. The country faced a power vacuum and a contentious transition of leadership, with Morales and his supporters disputing the legitimacy of the interim government. The protests also underscore the ongoing challenges in ensuring free and fair elections, protecting human rights, and maintaining social cohesion in the country.

20 people died in two massacres in Sacaba and Senkata

On 15 November 2019, nine people were killed in Sacaba, Bolivia, during a clash between security forces and protesters. The protesters, supporters of former president Evo Morales, had gathered peacefully in the city centre, but violence broke out when they tried to cross a military checkpoint near Cochabamba, where Morales supporters and foes had clashed for weeks. Witnesses said that police opened fire on the protesters, and hospital director Guadalberto Lara confirmed that most of the dead had bullet wounds.

Four days later, on 19 November, a similar incident occurred in Senkata, El Alto, resulting in the deaths of eleven civilians. Security forces used live ammunition on demonstrators in the vicinity of the YPFB gas facility and in surrounding neighbourhoods throughout the afternoon. This incident also followed attempts by protesters to cross a military checkpoint.

In total, 20 people died in these two massacres, with dozens more injured.

The interim government, led by Jeanine Áñez, was criticised for its handling of the situation. Áñez had come to power following the resignation of Morales, who stepped down after the armed forces suggested he leave, and amid nationwide protests over suspected vote-rigging in the October 2019 election. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over massacres by the new government in response to armed protests at Senkata and Sacaba.

The military was granted immunity from prosecution by Jeanine Áñez

In 2019, Bolivia was rocked by protests and marches from pro- and anti-government demonstrators. The protests, also known as the Pitita Revolution, lasted from 21 October 2019 until late November and were sparked by claims of electoral fraud in the 2019 general election.

The demonstrations were largely peaceful, but there were some violent clashes. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over massacres by the new government in response to armed protests at Senkata and Sacaba.

On 12 November 2019, Jeanine Áñez, the second vice-president of the Senate, formed an interim government. She had been next in line for the presidency after President Evo Morales and his Vice President Álvaro García Linera resigned, along with other officials in the line of succession.

Áñez issued a decree removing criminal liability for military and police in dealing with protesters, which was later repealed following widespread condemnation. The decree stated that military and police officers "will be immune from legal prosecution if they act for defense and out of necessity". Human rights organizations criticized the document, arguing that it condoned the use of force in quelling protests and ran contrary to international standards in human rights protection.

At least 33 people were killed in violence following the election, 30 of them after Áñez took office.

Evo Morales described the events as a “massacre” and a “coup d'état

In 2019, Bolivia was rocked by civil protests following the disputed 2019 Bolivian general election, in which incumbent President Evo Morales was initially declared the winner. Morales, however, was accused of electoral fraud, and an audit by the Organization of American States (OAS) found significant irregularities during the electoral process. This led to widespread protests and civil unrest, with both pro- and anti-Morales demonstrations occurring throughout the country.

As the situation escalated, the military and police of Bolivia, along with the Bolivian Workers' Center (COB), recommended that President Morales resign. On 10 November 2019, Morales announced his immediate resignation via television from an undisclosed location, stating that he was stepping down to protect the families of Movement for Socialism (MAS) members.

In the aftermath of his resignation, Morales described the events as a "coup d'état", alleging that external forces, particularly the United States, had orchestrated his ouster. In an interview with AFP, Morales stated:

> I'm absolutely convinced it's a coup against lithium... Transnational companies are behind the coup. The United States, too, because of the lithium issue.

Morales believed that Bolivia's vast lithium reserves were a key factor in the coup, suggesting that "transnational companies" and the United States sought to exploit these resources. He also accused the OAS of deliberately misleading the public about the election results and being complicit in the coup.

In addition to calling it a coup, Morales also described the events as a "massacre", particularly referring to the incidents in Sacaba and Senkata, where security forces clashed with pro-Morales protesters. In Sacaba, nine people were killed and over 100 injured, while eight people lost their lives in Senkata. Morales condemned the interim government of Jeanine Anez for giving the security forces a "blank check" to use lethal force against peaceful protesters.

Human rights activists have urged the interim government to repeal the military's immunity

Following the resignation of Evo Morales, Bolivia's interim president, Jeanine Áñez, issued a decree that granted the military immunity from prosecution for abuses during crowd-control operations. This decree was met with widespread criticism from human rights activists, who urged the interim government to repeal the military's immunity.

The decree was seen as a threat to fundamental human rights standards and was condemned by international organizations such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Human Rights Watch documented baseless charges, violations of free speech and due process, infringement on freedom of expression, and the excessive and arbitrary use of pre-trial detention under the Áñez administration.

The decree was issued in response to protests and clashes between pro- and anti-Morales supporters. The protests turned violent, resulting in the deaths of at least 37 people and injuries to more than 800 individuals. The military and police forces were accused of using excessive force and committing abuses during these clashes.

The interim government, led by Áñez, was already facing criticism for its handling of the situation. The administration was accused of abusing the justice system to persecute associates and supporters of Morales, failing to promote independent investigations, and adopting measures that undermined human rights.

In response to the criticism and international pressure, President Áñez repealed the decree, acknowledging the concerns raised by human rights activists and the international community. However, the impact of the initial decree and the subsequent repeal had lasting effects on the country's political and social landscape.

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