Primeros Sindicatos Campesinos en Bolivia

History of Land Rights and Indigenous Struggles in Bolivia

The Impact of Spanish Conquest on Indigenous Communities

• The Spanish conquest resulted in the dispossession of land from the Aymara and Quechua peoples, turning them into serfs and laborers.

• In 1715, Pedro Jiménez de Vargas received a large estate in Cochabamba, which was later donated to the Santa Clara monastery by his daughter.

Conditions Under Monastic Rule

• By the early 20th century, the nuns managed 2400 hectares with around 3000 indigenous laborers known as colonos, who worked for free four days a week in exchange for small plots of land.

• Following World War I, returning ex-combatants faced harsh treatment from priest Juan de Dios Gamboa, leading to increased discontent among colonos.

Formation of Indigenous Labor Movements

• On October 12, 1935, campesinos surrounded Gamboa's residence amid rising tensions over continued exploitation.

• In April 1936, colonos established Bolivia's first indigenous union at Hacienda Santa Clara led by ex-soldiers Desiderio Delgadillo and Pedro Delgadillo.

Political Changes and Union Recognition

• The new military government under David Toro recognized popular discontent and enacted socialist policies including mandatory unionization.

• Colonos negotiated with Toro to manage part of Hacienda Santa Clara directly; they agreed to pay an annual rent to the nuns.

Advancements in Education and Collective Organization

• A new agrarian union formed on December 20, 1936, advocating for local administration of lands; this movement spread across various haciendas.

• The establishment of schools became a priority; monjas donated land for educational purposes leading to multiple schools being set up within a year.

Resistance Against Landowners

• Despite progress, large landowners sabotaged efforts by denying access to quality seeds and preventing fair market prices for products.

• As rumors circulated about potential re-auctioning of Hacienda Santa Clara without considering colonos' rights, organized campesinos sought ownership of their working parcels.

Legislative Support and Setbacks

• President Bush initially supported colonos' demands but died mysteriously shortly after agreeing to help them purchase their lands.

La Lucha Campesina en Bolivia

Contexto de la Protesta

• Los colonos de Santa Clara son forzados a abandonar sus tierras vendidas a latifundistas, lo que provoca una masiva protesta organizada por el sindicato de Santa Clara.

• El sindicato inicia un juicio contra el ministro Mercado Rosales y los hacendados del Valle; como respuesta, las autoridades envían carabineros y arrestan a 12 líderes sindicales.

Represión y Resistencia

• La represión se intensifica con la masacre del distrito minero de Catavi el 21 de diciembre de 1942, donde el ejército dispara contra una multitud de 8000 personas.

• A pesar del desdén inicial hacia las huelgas, estas se extienden por todo Bolivia entre 1939 y 1947, con campesinos negándose a trabajar y buscando la abolición del pongueaje.

Congresos Indígenas

• En 1942, los campesinos quechuas realizan su primer congreso indígena en Sucre, exigiendo la eliminación de resabios feudales y la reversión de tierras.

• Un segundo congreso busca organizar huelgas en todo el país; esto ocurre tras el derrocamiento del general Peñaranda por Gualberto Villarruel.

Avances Legales y Desafíos

• El primer congreso nacional indígena se inaugura el 11 de mayo de 1945 con participación significativa; se aprueban recomendaciones para mejorar condiciones laborales.

• Villarruel promulga decretos que eliminan servicios gratuitos como el pongueaje pero enfrenta resistencia por parte de terratenientes que no cumplen las disposiciones.

Insurrección Campesina

• Tras la muerte de Villarruel en julio de 1946, un nuevo régimen ignora los logros campesinos previos, provocando una sublevación en varias regiones.