Bolivian bishop sees poverty, injustice at root of political crisis

Published: 2003-10-17

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Massive demonstrations against the Bolivian government are rooted in the rampant poverty and injustices in the South American country, said a Bolivian bishop whose diocese has been a scene of protests. The country's bishops have been trying unsuccessfully for months to get government officials and opposition leaders together to work out peaceful solutions, said Bishop Juan Vargas Aruquipa of Coroico, Bolivia. The bishop was interviewed Oct. 16 by Catholic News Service while in the United States to raise funds for the Catholic university in his diocese. He spoke while Bolivian opposition leaders continued their street protests in several parts of the country demanding the resignation of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada over his free-market economic policies. Opponents say the policies have worsened conditions for the country's indigenous poor. The protests have forced the temporary closing of the national legislature and paralyzed a lot of economic activity.

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