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Witness History: The Bolivian Water War

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The Bolivian Water War

16/11/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The Bolivian Water War

How Bolivians in the city of Cochabamba fought against the “leasing of the rain”

In 2000, a teenage boy was killed in Cochabamba, in Bolivia, during a protest over water rates.

The Bolivian Water War was a series of protests that took place in the city of Cochabamba in 2000 against the privatisation of water. 

People objected to the increase in water rates and idea that the government was “leasing the rain”.

In April 2000, President Hugo Banzer declared a "state of siege" meaning curfews were imposed and protest leaders could be arrested without warrant.

During a violent clash between demonstrators and the military, teenager Victor Hugo was shot dead by an army captain.

Union official Oscar Olivera tells Vicky Farncombe how Hugo’s death motivated the protesters and brought about an end to the privatisation.

(Photo: Demonstrators wave the Bolivian flag as they participate in a strike against water utility rate increases. Credit: Reuters)

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