Carwil Bjork-James#Bolivia #Mining #LethalConflict
Mapiri community member Jhilmer Cuele Sompero, 30, was shot on February 16 and died three days later during clashes over the La Deseada mine, whose mining permit had just been denied.
Conflicts over the La Deseada mine in #Mapiri date back at least to 2016, and disputes over the presence of a foreign-owned mine to at least 2020. Witness this 2020 rally against the project: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=628235404452810
Movilizaciones en Mapiri exigen salida de la empresa minera La Deseada. | By TELE 15 Caranavi | Facebook
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Community members occupied the mine site after the permit rejection on February 16, awaiting national police to secure the site.
https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/seguridad/conflicto-minero-en-mapiri-creen-que-empresario-chileno-esta-detras-de-enfrentamientos-420887
https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/seguridad/conflicto-minero-en-mapiri-creen-que-empresario-chileno-esta-detras-de-enfrentamientos-420887
The confrontation with miners involved dynamite and live ammunition (possibly all from the miners' side; there's no narrative of crossfire).
Jhilmer Cuele Sompero was just one of ten wounded by gunfire, according to initial reports.
Prosecutors confirmed they were issuing arrest warrants for those responsible for the violence as of February 19, but there has been no further reporting on accountability.
https://www.eldiario.net/portal/2023/02/20/anuncian-aprehension-de-dirigentes-de-mapiri/
