“In Peru, we found out zinc miners were on strike and we took part in a march to protest government attempts to privatize the water company,” Nierez said. It’s likely that some of these workers will be part of the delegation of 500 from Peru, she said.

Nierez and Oliver arrived in Bolivia during the month-long blockade of La Paz, the capital city, and sustained protests by miners, peasants, and other working people demanding nationalization of natural gas and oil. “When we got to the airport, it was taken over by the army,” Oliver said. “And 200 meters away, the streets were taken by the people protesting. They were chanting and blocking the streets. Nobody could pass, so we began talking to the protestors.”

“They recognized us as fellow fighters,” said Nierez, “and they opened a trail for us to pass so we could meet with others about the festival.” About 300 delegates from Bolivia are expected to attend the festival, the two Venezuelan youth leaders said.

More than 1,200 delegates are expected from neighboring Colombia. Oliver and Nierez said they addressed a meeting of 3,000 in Bogotá about the political situation in Venezuela.

In all, at least 6,000 students, workers, and other youth are expected to attend the festival from the Americas. According to the festival’s International Organizing Committee, 8,000 delegates had been confirmed as of July 13 worldwide and more are expected.
 
 
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