Tipnis

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Aurora missed the problems indigenous people are confronting in my country: Evo Morales is trying to build a road to connect the cities of Cochabamba (through Villa Tunari) and Trinidad (Beni, trough San Ignacio de Moxos) that goes trough the TIPNIS (Territorio Indígena del Parque Isiboro Sécure). The problem began after the Planification branch of Morales' government proposed to build a road to connect the aforementioned cities ignoring numerous observations to the project made by members of the government opposition, being the principal the projected route of the road. As is planned, the second phase of the road would go through approximately 60 km of pristine tropical forest and through, protected by Law, Indigenous territories of Yuracaré, Moxeño and Chimane tribes. According to research made by local press, about half a million trees would need to be cut to make just enough space to build the road. The indigenous leaders of the mentioned tribes are opposing this project and are planning a protest march to La Paz (starting August 15th) to stop the government plans. However, Morales, in a meeting of his fellow union men at Villa Tunari, said last saturday "Those who oppose the construction of this road are traitors!" (obviously referring to the tribes' leaders). "They are financed by the Conservative Right politicians of this country, the Press and some NGOs that do not want the progress to come here". In an even more outrageous manner he said "all men here should court the women of the tribes to convince them about the construction of the road" (you need some translation). At the end of his meeting he said "this road will go on, yes or yes". After the protests of the indigenous leaders and media coverage, the Brazilian government suspended the funding for the construction of the road, but our vicepresident has just said that the road will go on as planned.

A meeting has been scheduled between the Government Minister and the leaders of TIPNIS that will take place next Tuesday.
This is today's comic strip of a La Paz newspaper (La Prensa):