The strike has now been going on for three weeks. It is linked to the census. The government has already postponed the census twice, and the opposition is not taking this lying down. At stake are tax revenues and votes, which are not distributed fairly across the country. Almost all shops remain closed, the roads are partially blocked, and at petrol stations – if any petrol arrives at all – queues stretching for kilometres form immediately. In response to the strike, the ruling party has in turn blockaded the city of Santa Cruz, so that no food can be brought into the city. A solution was expected on Saturday, but neither the government nor the opposition are willing to compromise on their respective demands. We are praying and hoping that it does not come to violent clashes.
