IN Bolivia, the indigenous are mobilising in defence of their vision of democracy. Their political party Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) was stolen from them in November by venal authorities. Since December the grassroots of Bolivia has been meeting by the thousand to decide on a new political plan that emerged today in the decision to join the Front for Victory (FPV).

In the face of escalating political persecution, a stunning new strategy has been put in place. Eight thousand people are standing guard for former president Evo Morales in his home, the historic region of the Cocaleros, now a national food basket. Communities elect delegates who rotate in from across the country.

The bases and leadership are in meetings from 5am to late in the evening. Their latest multi-day march started on January 10 and ended five days later with marchers who suffered bullet wounds and dozens of detentions in La Paz, the centre of government. Since July, peaceful resistance has been met with paramilitary violence, extreme forms of crowd control, and indiscriminate arrests after the protesters disperse.