Bolivian cardinal urges striking Bolivians to avoid violence

Published: 2005-01-14

LA PAZ, Bolivia (CNS) -- Amid waves of social protest, Cardinal Julio Terrazas Sandoval of Santa Cruz urged striking Bolivians to avoid conflicts and violence that "might lead us to consequences we wish would never happen." Speaking during a Jan. 9 homily, the cardinal urged Catholics to replace "confrontations and pride" with peaceful fraternity. An earlier decision by Bolivian President Carlos Mesa to increase the price of gasoline and diesel to shrink the nation's deficit triggered protests in Santa Cruz and El Alto that caused Mesa to warn that he might resign if "the situation turns into violence." Cardinal Terrazas said the government should explain its reasons for its economic policies in "a country that is sick and needs to be cured by everybody, but does not need to receive remedies wrapped in candies ... fostering angriness in the citizens." Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, has had continuous instability since October 2003, when riots in the cities of El Alto and La Paz, the capital, forced the resignation of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, who allegedly ordered military repression that left more than 60 people dead.

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