Arce said that supporting the actions from the Executive to stop the divisive attempts of the governor of Santa Cruz are signs that they are on the right path. | Photo: @LuchoXBolivia

La Paz, August 11 (RHC)-- The president of Bolivia, Luis Alberto Arce, has recognized the role of native and indigenous peoples as actors in the construction of democracy and cultural development in the country.

In this regard, the president, on the International Day of Indigenous Peoples and from his Twitter platform, extended an embrace to them for their historical struggle to be included and achieve social justice.

He also thanked the support of the Departmental Federation of Indigenous Intercultural Communities of La Paz (Fdciolp); and noted in gratitude that "the mandate given to us by the Bolivian people was firm and clear, to work alongside our social organizations. Today, their signs of affection and support show that we are on the right path."

Meanwhile, Bolivian Vice-President David Choquehuanca said that "for more than 500 years they have covered our knowledge, our codes of life.  They wanted to bury us.  They wanted to exterminate us, and our sacred places have been desecrated.  But the indigenous people of ancient cultures are as strong as stone.  We are jenecherú -- a fire that never goes out."

"We have gathered here to ratify our commitment to consolidate a Plurinational State where we all have the same rights, an inclusive, sovereign State, a State where we feel proud of our roots and of what we are, of our cultures, weavings, dances and knowledge", said the Minister of the Presidency, María Nela Prada.

Bolivia, as a Plurinational State, and after the triumph of the Movement Towards Socialism in 2006, has 36 nationalities recognized in its Constitution, the vast majority of which support the management of Arce and his cabinet, and oppose the divisive attempts of the governor of Santa Cruz, Fernando Camacho and his allies.

The United Nations General Assembly established August 9 as International Day of Indigenous Communities in reference to the first meeting, in 1982, of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities.