The Bolivian Water War

Witness History

BBC

History, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.4 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 16 November 2023

⏱️ 9 minutes

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Summary

The Bolivian Water War was a series of protests that took place in the city of Cochabamba in 2000 against the privatisation of water. People objected to the increase in water rates and idea that the government was “leasing the rain”. In April 2000, President Hugo Banzer declared a "state of siege" meaning curfews were imposed and protest leaders could be arrested without warrant. During a violent clash between demonstrators and the military, teenager Victor Hugo was shot dead by an army captain. Union official Oscar Olivera tells Vicky Farncombe how Hugo’s death motivated the protesters and brought about an end to the privatisation. (Photo: Demonstrators wave the Bolivian flag as they participate in a strike against water utility rate increases. Credit: Reuters)

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to the Witness History Podcast from the BBC World Service with me Vicky Falcombe.
0:12.3	I'm taking you back more than 20 years to Bolivia
0:16.0	when a teenage boy was killed at a demonstration against the privatization of water.
0:22.0	It became known as the Bolivian Water War. I've been speaking
0:27.0	to Union leader Oscar Olivera and listening to the archives of Radio Kancher
0:32.4	Palaspora. listening to the archives of Radio Kanchip Al-ASper.
0:35.0	It's April 2000 and at a protest about water rates a teenage boy has been shot dead.
0:45.0	Victor Hugo was 17 and had been with demonstrators on a side street
0:50.0	near the Central Plaza of Coachebamba, Bolivia's fourth largest city.
0:55.0	A TV crew captured footage of the Army Captain who fired the live rounds into the crowd
1:02.0	that killed Victor and wounded others.
1:07.0	My son had gone out to greet his friends on Estebanars' street.
1:12.0	A poor woman came up to me today and told me that she was the one who had
1:17.2	given him some popcorn because he was hungry and with that popcorn he died from a bullet wound. Everyone was saying
1:26.0	get down but my son maybe days with hunger and thirst had put that popcorn in his mouth and didn't get down and the bullet struck him.
1:37.0	In an interview with Radio Canchapal Asper,
1:40.0	Victor Hugo's mother blamed the then president Hugo Banza for her son's death.
1:45.3	Really when I saw my son I felt in that moment my God forgive me I wanted to go to La Pass and kill
1:55.6	Bancer because they are the only ones who order this. They tell us one thing and then another and the people like dummies we believe this thing and that thing.
2:09.0	But then I calm down and I thought, my God forgive me, what am I thinking in this moment in my pain?
2:17.0	Victor's body was carried through the streets and a public vigil was held with speeches from protesters.
2:24.0	It's implacados to fabour,
	...

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