Santa Cruz Youth Union

History

The organization was founded in 1957 by Carlos Valverde Barbery, leader of the Bolivian Socialist Falange, a falangist party. According to its founder, "the Union of Crucenist Youth was created to be the "armed arm" of the Pro-Santa Cruz Committee, taking charge not only of the street struggle but also of popular indoctrination and military support to the committee. » In 1971, it took part in Hugo Banzer's coup d'état. Carlos Valverde Barbery was appointed Minister of Health.

Claiming a membership of more than two thousand, the UJC has violently enforced general civic strikes called for by the Pro Santa Cruz Committee, intimidated and assaulted leftist political opponents, and provided security for the 4 May Santa Cruz Autonomy referendum, participating in violent clashes the day of the vote. Two members of the UJC were arrested and accused of plotting to assassinate Morales on 20 June 2008, when encountered by police in possession of a rifle, scope, and ammunition in Santa Cruz prior to the president's flight arrival. Some sources claimed that they were captured at the airport, but others located the suspects in a popular market. Nevertheless, the prosecutor dismissed the case and they were both released shortly afterwards.

Ideology and characteristics

Being a Falangist is still a condition for joining the Union of Crucenist Youth. Known for its violent activism, the organization is considered a paramilitary group by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH). Its activists are generally from the bourgeoisie.

References

References

1. Bowen, James D.. (2014). "The Resilience of the Latin American Right". [[Johns Hopkins University Press]].
2. http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/603/1/ UDW, Ben Dangl. The Dark Side of Bolivia’s Half Moon January 2007
3. (July 2020). "Bolivia: A tale of two countries".
4. [http://www.boliviainfoforum.org.uk/documents/432279594_BIF%20Bulletin%208.pdf BIF Bulletin No 8] Santa Cruz and the banner of autonomy
5. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/amr18/004/2007/en/ Amnesty Intl. Bolivia: Fear for safety 6 March 2007
6. http://ain-bolivia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=32 AIN Illegal Autonomy Referendum Deepens Division in Bolivia 17 April 2008
7. http://upsidedownworld.org/main/content/view/1270/31/ UPD Santa Cruz Divided 8 May 2008
8. (May 2018)
9. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150923234922/http://www.elciudadano.net/A-EDICIONES%20ANTERIORES/ED21-06-08/P13.pdf El gobierno boliviano dice que planeaban matar a Evo.] '''El Ciudadano''' ''(in spanish)''. 21 June 2008.