Describe the popular struggle ‘against the privatization of water’ in Bolivia.

The popular struggle in Bolivia:

1. MNC- Under the pressurization of World Bank, Bolivian govt had to give the rights of water of the city Cochabamba to an MNC. The company increased the price of water by four times. Being a poor country, most of the people could not afford the huge bill every month.

2. First strike- An alliance of labour, human rights, and community leaders organized a general 4-day strike in January 2000. The government assured the people of negotiation but nothing happened.

3. Continued strike- In February, the police suppressed the strike brutally. In April, the government imposed a martial law. But the MNC officials had to run away and the government had to agree to people’s demand.

This was known as Bolivia’s Water War.

Note:

People of Bolivia fought a long struggle against the high price of water in a poor country. Even though the government tried to resist and even suppress the uprising, the people persisted. The MNC officials had to flee and people got their justice.