Indigenous Bolivians challenge road through Isiboro Secure Park, 2011
Summary
In 2011, approximately 1,000 indigenous people from the Isiboro Secure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS) in Bolivia marched 500 km from Trinidad to La Paz to protest a highway project through their traditional lands. [source: nv-database]
The campaign successfully pressured President Evo Morales to cancel the road project and meet 15 other demands, marking a significant victory for indigenous and environmental rights. [source: nv-database]
Tactics used
Tactics used
Background
The Bolivian government planned a 177 km road through the Isiboro Secure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS), a protected area and home to indigenous communities. [source: nv-database]
President Evo Morales supported the project as a development investment, but indigenous groups and environmental organizations saw it as a violation of indigenous rights and environmental protection. [source: nv-database]
The goal was the full cancellation of the road project. [source: nv-database]
What happened
Adolfo Chávez Beyuma — Eddie Arrossi, Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos on Flickr (CC BY 2.0). Source: indigenous-bolivians-challenge-road-through-isiboro-secure-park-2011.jpg
On August 15, 2011, about 1,000 indigenous people began a 500 km march from Trinidad to La Paz to oppose the highway [source: nv-database]. The march was organized by leaders including Fernando Vargas and Rosario Barradas [source: nv-database]. In mid-September, the government sent 1,500 riot police to block the marchers near Yucumo [source: nv-database]. On September 24, protesters broke through the barricade; some reports say they used bows and arrows and briefly seized Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, though protest leaders denied being armed [source: nv-database]. On September 25, police violently cracked down with tear gas and batons, and protesters claimed four people died, though the government denied any deaths [source: nv-database]. Following widespread outrage, the Interior Minister, Defense Minister, and Migration Chief resigned, and Morales suspended the project pending national discussion [source: nv-database]. The marchers regrouped and resumed in mid-October, reaching La Paz on October 19 [source: nv-database]. On October 21, Morales sent an amendment to Congress to halt the project, and after a vigil, it was signed into law on October 24, also recognizing 15 other demands including a protection clause for TIPNIS [source: nv-database].
Key people & organizations
- Fernando Vargas
- Rosario Barradas
- TIPNIS Native Communities
- the Conference of Indigenous People
- Survival International
- Amazon Watch
- Evo Morales
- Brazilian Development Company OAS
- Brazilian Development Bank
Outcome
Verdict: won.
The campaign achieved a complete victory: the road project was cancelled and 15 additional demands were met, including legal protection for the TIPNIS area. The success was driven by sustained nonviolent action, international solidarity, and the government’s overreaction that triggered resignations and a policy reversal. [source: nv-database]
Lessons
- Sustained long-distance marches can effectively mobilize public opinion and pressure governments.
- International support and petitions can amplify the impact of local protests.
- A government’s violent crackdown can backfire, leading to political fallout and concessions.
Sources
- Global Nonviolent Action Database —
[[nv-database]]
Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.
Sources & verification
nv-database— grounding: primary — license: link-only- Rewritten: 2026-07-04 via
worker_casestudies_v2.py