Trade union officials and civic leaders in Bolivia's Santa Cruz have called on companies and transportation employees to join an "indefinite civil strike" in protest of a new law enacted by the country's legislature that some have dubbed a "gateway to communism."
The strike against President Luis Arce's socialist party and the government began on Nov. 8. The measure was taken in response to a new law, 386, formally dubbed the "National Strategy to Combat the Legitimization of Illicit Profits and Terrorism Financing."
The law empowers the country's president to govern all facets of the country's financial system precisely by decree. According to Sen. Rodrigo Paz Pereira, the bill has established a "tripod of control and power over the country."
The bill centralizes large swaths of Bolivia's power structure and grants the government access to private bank accounts, raising concerns among many Bolivians about the future of their money and enterprises.
"This law is obscene and must be repealed," civil engineer and protest organizer Ronnie Marancenbaum told The Epoch Times.
While guarding one of the city's hundreds of improvised road blockades aimed at bringing the economy to a standstill, Marancenbaum declared that this law is a slippery slope that will lead the country down a terrible path: "They're attempting to take away private property and our freedom."
He added that the new rule would also allow the government to seize bank assets if they have even the slightest suspicion that someone is committing an illegal act.
"The government is attempting to convert this country to communism. It's a stepping stone to communism," Marancenbaum explained.
A gang of men patrolled a residential neighborhood, setting up barricades of ropes, pebbles, flags, and old tires.
"We oppose the government's actions," a man who requested to be identified only as Monje for fear of police reprisals told The Epoch Times.
Monje stated that the new law would allow the government to make legal decisions without consulting the courts. "You may be imprisoned pending the completion of the legal process. This statute must be repealed," he stated.
The national call to strike has gained traction in several towns and departments, with rallies against socialist party President Arce taking place in La Paz and Potos.
Arce responded to the nationwide strike on Twitter, writing, "For a year, we have been rebuilding the economy in unison, and the right-wing is afraid of that Bolivian people's unity."
Hundreds of protesters continued to obstruct a significant roadway into the night of Nov. 8 in the streets of Santa Cruz. Among them was Adriana Lopez, a university student who claims her protest is motivated by love. "I'm here because I'm a patriot. I'm young, but I'm hoping for a bright future in Bolivia."
A Santa Cruz shop owner, Diego Infante, said the police have already reacted aggressively to some of the marchers. "Police should not behave in this manner; they should respect the right of people to peacefully protest, which is guaranteed by our constitution," he told The Epoch Times.
On Nov. 9, police used water cannons and tear gas to strike demonstrators in Santa Cruz's Los Lotes area, arresting many protesters for obstructing traffic with roadblocks.
"While the Bolivian constitution permits this [protest], what we are doing is illegal in Venezuela," Monje explained.
"They are attempting to transform this country into Venezuela."
