De CERCA | Evo Morales y Germán Quiroga | 1994 | Primera Parte

In 1994, when Evo Morales was beginning to establish himself as a coca growers' leader with political potential, Carlos Mesa invited him to debate with the then Minister of Government, Germán Quiroga. These were the days of the "March for Coca and Dignity," which reached La Paz with significant national impact. The program clearly portrays the origins of a conflict that, three decades later, remains unresolved. It also allows us to understand the enormous political and union power built in the Chapare region, as well as the persistent shadow of drug trafficking that has marked that area. Due to the length and historical value of this conversation—one of the longest interviews conducted for De Cerca—we have decided to publish it in two parts. This is the first.