Question

Explain briefly about Bolivia's water war?

Answer 1

Bolivia, a poor country in Latin America, had to face pressure from World Bank to sell—its municipal rights in Cochabamba, a city in this country—to a MNC. The MNC immediately increased the price of water by four times. Many people received monthly water bill of Rs 1000 in a country where average income is around Rs 5000 a month. This led to spontaneous popular support.
An alliance of labour, human rights and community leaders organised a successful four day general strike. The goverment agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off. The police resorted to brutal repression when other strike was organised. With the passage of time goverment conceded to all the demands of protesters.
With this contract with MNC was cancelled and water supply was restored to Municipality at old rates. This came to known as Bolivia's water war.