Bolivia: The half moon blockades aren't working, but don't tell the press

You're unlikely to read this in the English press, but the much fanfared beef blockade of produce from Santa Cruz to La Paz lasted about two days, I reckon. This morning the head of the butcher's federation of La Paz was quoted as saying that beef supply is normal. "Beef has arrived normally from Santa Cruz and the Altiplano (high plains) region" were his exact words.

Isn't it strange how the beginning of this blockade was reported everywhere, but when it fizzles out a few short hours later the newsflow just dries up on us?

Also, the weekend was full of stories on how the half moon states were going to take over the gas supply lines and key pumping stations as from today. Well...that one just isn't happening, either. As Mercopress reports, Evo has told his military to protect the gas supply.

"I've spoken with Armed Forces commander in chief, General Luis Trigo, who has precise instructions to safeguard and defend the Bolivian people" Morales told a meeting of pro-government labor unions in the central city of Cochabamba on Saturday. "The government will protect the oil pipelines and gas valves" he added.

As pointed out before: You and who's army, Ruben?

Also, Evo has decreed that costs incurred due to any interruption of normal civic affairs (eg gas supply, road blocks etc) will be charged to the prefectures and local authorities that allowed any BS to happen on their patch. Costs will be calculated and then deducted from fiscal revenues due from the national government to the local authorities.

Hear crickets?