The protesters also brought food they received in the towns they passed through before arriving in the capital and staying at two Lima state universities.
Their communities raised the money to rent the buses that brought them here and there are cases like that of folk singer Yarita Lizeth, who did her bit to help protesters travel from the southern Andean town of Juliaca, which suffered the highest death rate of protesters at the protests.
Not only has the young artist borrowed the bus that she, her orchestra and dancers use on tours across the country to bring protesters to Lima, but she also packed a load of non-perishable groceries and bottled water in the hold.
These events challenged claims of covert illegal funding for the mobilizations launched by high-ranking officials, politicians and the media.
Furthermore, these versions were denied by an exclusive monthly newsletter sent out by a well-known consulting firm to industry sectors accessible to international journalists.
The report analyzes the protests in the southern Andean region of Puno, the strongest in the first wave of roadblocks, strikes and demonstrations last December.
The report claims that the main source of funding for the protests is “people’s and organizations’ own funds, union and community contributions and solidarity”.
Secondly, he mentions mayors who, newly elected, meet the need for support through logistical support organizations in order to establish good relations with the population.
In addition, he notes that “carriers and dealers work together with logistics and resources”.
Regarding versions that drug trafficking, illegal mining and terrorism financed the protests, the report points out that the illegal economies have an interest in intervening to gain influence.
“However, they don’t have the logistics to allocate resources with the required efficiency,” adding that social mobilization doesn’t need them.
The consultant’s analysis also states that “most of the protests were spontaneous and self-convened” and “have an organization and strategy, but there is no articulation, architects or recognized leaders”.
It refutes the official, political and media versions that point to former Bolivian President Evo Morales, former President Pedro Castillo, whose sacking and arrest sparked the protests, and radical populist leader Antauro Humala as sponsors or harassers.
“None of them have the capacity for strategy and drafting. Holding them accountable ends up giving them more importance than they have and empowering them,” the above assessment claims.
ro/mrs