Leader of the Bolivian pro-autonomy movement Branko Marincovic: "Santa Cruz is a free land and we will show true democracy"

While in the main square of Oruro, the social sectors and miners gather tomonitor the meeting of the Constituent Assembly, authorities from Santa Cruz ratified disobedience before this text and argued that beginning next week the socialized Autonomy Statute will be presented to the prefect to call a referendum to make it legitimate.

The rejection not only took place in the capital of Santa Cruz, the regions of Pando, Beni, Cochabamba and Tarija, Chuquisaca, said that as of Monday the actions against the adoption of the text, imposed by the government (MAS), will initiate and carry forward a campaign to ignore the amendments to the Constitution, given that the opposition was excluded, and since it was approved without two-thirds of votes. Also, that the Constitution has been approved at large in the midst of a military precinct in Chuquisaca.

Among the items qualified as controversial is the reelection of the President, article that was severely criticized by the opposition, since it ensured perpetuity Evo Morales in power.
The president of the Committee Pro Santa Cruz, Branko Marinkovic, in the midst of his fourth day of hunger strike, appealed to all citizens of Santa Cruz, and asked them to this extreme measure, as a symbol of the resounding rejection of constitution 'masista'.

"We are not going to abide by this constitution made by the MAS, since that constitution was born dead, all Bolivians, all patriots, we convened that from tomorrow (today) we will increase the strike and defend autonomy" the civic president urged.

In addition, he argued that this struggle is clear and that they have no fear, because the constitution is stained with blood and through the creation of new autonomous status, will be demonstrated the real Bolivia, and not the one that some people want to create among repression and confrontation.

Also, he remembered that in the battle of Viru Viru, the people of Santa Cruz showed they will always defend their department, as did Chuquisaca, where three people were killed in defense of their ideals.

Regarding the celebration that the President intends to make, he said that the country would see only the celebration of the death of democracy in Bolivia, and unlike Santa Cruz, where they will celebrate freedom.

"The autonomy is the only way, to those areas are still living imprisoned, we will be here to give them the freedom that this government does not want to give them," said Marinkovic.

Authorities from Santa Cruz argued that the statute being written is the only hope for Santa Cruz, and that other departments will soon realize how important it is to be autonomous. The hunger strike will not cease and they hope that from today it will increase.