Blockade in Pailón: Residents reported changes to the electoral map

The residents of the municipality of Pailón temporarily suspended a blockade that paralyzed the Bioceanic highway for days. This pause was decided after the promise of a meeting with authorities from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) for Tuesday, May 13.

The mobilization demands the reversal of Pailón's transfer from constituency C-54 to C-53, as stipulated in the new electoral cartography. The conflict erupted due to resolution 199/2025 of the TSE, which redefined district boundaries following the 2024 population and housing census.

The inhabitants believe that the new demarcation violates their historical and territorial identity, so they demand a return to their previous constituency. Mayor Agapito Castro has supported all protest actions.

"They changed our constituency without asking us. We are not part of 53, we never were, they want to erase us from the map to favor some parties," denounced one of the civic leaders of the region. He also accused the TSE of acting without consultation or socialization.

The protests began on Monday, May 5, with blockades at at least four strategic points in the municipality. This affected the transit of trucks, interdepartmental buses, and the train that connects eastern Bolivia with the Atlantic. There were reports of significant economic losses for transporters and exporters.

The measure has caused economic losses

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During the first days of the blockade, both the highway and the railway were affected, and considerable economic losses were reported. Producers transporting fruits and dairy products from eastern Bolivia auctioned their products on the roadside to prevent spoilage. Meanwhile, passengers had to resort to motorcyclists to continue their journeys.

The president of the Santa Cruz Departmental Electoral Tribunal, María Cristina Claros, confirmed that the meeting with the mobilized will be on Tuesday in La Paz. The acceptance of this meeting was decisive for the residents to take a break in their pressure measure. However, the leaders warned that they will resume the blockades if their demand is not addressed.

The TSE defended the new delimitation, asserting that the process has already concluded and can't be modified. This explanation was reinforced by board member Fernando Vargas, who stated that the new constituencies will be used in the August elections. However, in Pailón, the rejection has remained firm.

Meanwhile, the Police maintain constant surveillance in the conflict area. Lieutenant Colonel Ramiro Arteaga reported that the unblocking was achieved through dialogue, although new blockades are not ruled out if the conflict continues without resolution. The road was cleared, but tranquility is not felt.

The protests were intensified in recent days with the support of transporters, civic leaders, and motorcycle taxi drivers. Dirt mounds were also placed on the railway, forcing Ferroviaria Oriental to send technicians to assess the damage. The roadblock extended to communities like Tunás and Tres Cruces.

The municipal authorities support the measure

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Under pressure, even the educational system was affected. Local authorities decided to suspend in-person classes and adopt the virtual modality while the conflict persists. The measure was supported by the Pailón Civic Committee, which called on the TSE for an immediate solution.

The mayor of Pailón, Agapito Castro, supported the protests and stated that the change of constituency affects the municipality's representation in the Legislative Assembly. "They are leaving us without a voice in Parliament. This struggle is not political; it is for our territorial rights," he said.

The blockades caused desperation among producers and drivers stranded for several days. Some began to request a break to avoid further economic losses. Others reported that they had no access to water or food and that the situation was unsustainable.

Despite the hardships, the mobilized maintained their firm stance during the four days of protests. They only decided to lift the measure upon receiving the formal invitation to dialogue with the TSE board members. They assured that they do not want confrontations, but they will not accept impositions either.

"We are not begging for favors. We want to be heard and for an unjust decision to be reversed. If there is no response on Tuesday, we will resume the blockade indefinitely," warned one of the neighborhood representatives during an assembly this Friday.

The TSE remains silent

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The TSE has not yet issued an official statement directly responding to the memorial delivered on April 30. The mobilized demand that their right to decide the constituency to which they belong be respected. They argue that their transfer to C-53 doesn't reflect their history or territorial reality.

For the residents, the change affects their political representation and violates democratic principles. They accuse the electoral body of making an arbitrary decision without consulting the population. They emphasize that their belonging to C-54 is not only geographical but also cultural and symbolic.

Mayor Agapito Castro reiterated that they are not seeking to destabilize but to defend a legitimate right. He pointed out that the transfer to another constituency could alter the political balance of power in the area. He also recalled that the protest arose after weeks of silence from the TSE.

For now, Pailón awaits May 13 as a key date to solve the conflict. In that meeting, it will be known whether the TSE is willing to listen to the residents or if they will intensify their measures.