BOLIVIAN: Bolivian troops opened fire on a group of landless activists this week as they attempted to occupy a ranch belonging to former Defence Minister Carlos Sanchez Berain.
A wave of land occupations have been launched across the country, tying in with highway blockades and urban protests that forced former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Losada out of office last week.
"Only the names have changed in this country, the repression continues," complained Felipe Quispe, an indigenous activist who led mass demonstrations against plans to build a private gas pipeline through the country.
Mr Berain fled to Miami with the ousted president but still found time to transfer land deeds to his ranch in Cochabamba to army Colonel Gonzalo Lora.
Mr Berain faces a criminal investigation into his role in the massacre of 90 people during the recent upheaval in which protesters brought the country to a standstill.
Bolivian President Carlos Mesa, nominated by parliament last week, promised to respect human rights and begin social reforms to improve living conditions for the majority poor.
A government commission travelled to the conflict zone yesterday to mediate with the landless families, claiming that the orders for repression did not come from the new government. In addition, a government minister said the last-minute land transfer to Colonel Lora was illegal and pledged to review the case.
Bolivia's social movements, powered by an indigenous majority, have given President Mesa a 90-day period of grace in which to hold a referendum on a proposed gas pipeline and initiate political reforms.
A quarter of the population are classified as starving, while 80 per cent live in poverty.