Bolivian non-commissioned officers marched through La Paz again Tuesday, the second such demonstration in less than a week against the military hierarchy over racial grievances.
The military command sacked 700 personnel after the first protest strike by disgruntled non-commissioned officers on Thursday.
The enlisted ranks of Bolivia's 38,000-strong military are filled mainly with indigenous Aymara and Quechua people, while the upper echelons comprise mainly mixed-race officers of partly European descent.
The non-commissioned officers complain that their advancement to ranks above sergeant are blocked because of racial discrimination, and are demanding reforms.
Turnout at Tuesday's march from neighboring Los Altos to downtown La Paz was smaller than last week, when about 2,000 uniformed sergeants marched through the city.
President Evo Morales, a socialist, is Bolivia's first indigenous president.
Bolivian non-commissioned officers marched through La Paz again Tuesday, the second such demonstration in less than a week against the military hierarchy over racial grievances.
The military command sacked 700 personnel after the first protest strike by disgruntled non-commissioned officers on Thursday.
The enlisted ranks of Bolivia’s 38,000-strong military are filled mainly with indigenous Aymara and Quechua people, while the upper echelons comprise mainly mixed-race officers of partly European descent.
The non-commissioned officers complain that their advancement to ranks above sergeant are blocked because of racial discrimination, and are demanding reforms.
Turnout at Tuesday’s march from neighboring Los Altos to downtown La Paz was smaller than last week, when about 2,000 uniformed sergeants marched through the city.
President Evo Morales, a socialist, is Bolivia’s first indigenous president.
