Soy plants are pictured on a farm in Enconada, on the outskirts of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, January 7, 2023. REUTERS/Agustin MarcarianPAILAS, Bolivia, Jan 12 - Javier Monasterio, a rancher in Bolivia's lowland area of Santa Cruz, is feeling the economic hit of weeks-long protests and blockades since the dramatic arrest of the region's governor that has snarled domestic transport of grains and meat.
"It's worth the sacrifice, it's worth suffering, it's worth it even in these difficult times... we're going to win." The government in La Paz says the arrest of Camacho was justice for stirring up protests as a civic leader in 2019 that led to the resignation of Morales under widespread pressure and ushered in a divisive interim right-wing government. Camacho denies the charges.
"They can't resist on their own", said Montenegro, adding the rising economic pressures would force Santa Cruz producers to re-start supply within the country.