Question

Write a short note on water war in Bolivia.

Answer 1

The government of Bolivia, under pressure from the World Bank, decided to privatize water supply in the country’s third largest city, Cochabamba.
People were dissatisfied with the decision of the government. Demonstrations and a general strike erupted in January 2000 in protest against the tariff increase and the perceived privatization of water resources.
The government arrested the leader of the protesters, Oscar Olivera. But the protests spread to the entire country and the government declared a state of emergency in April. Protests still continued and several people were killed.
The government finally released Oscar Olivera and signed an agreement with him stating that the concession would be ended.
It was due to such protests by the people that the MNC contract was cancelled and the municipal water supply was restored to old rates.

Answer 2

Bolivia is a small and poor country in Latin America. the world bank pressurised the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. the government sold the water rights of the Cochabamba city to a multinational company. the company immediately increased the price of water by four times. this led to a spontaneous popular protest.
in Jan 2000 various labour human rights and community leaders joined together to protest against the privatisation of water. they organized a 4day strike in the city which the government forced to negotiate with the people. the government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off,but nothing came out of it.
the agitation was started again in Feb. another strike followed in April and the government imposed martial law and tried to suppress the movement
but the power of the people forced the official of the multinational company to flee the city and the government to cancel the contract. as a result the water supply was restored to the people at old rates. this is known as Bolivia's water war