Pause

A pause in the joyful sharing of summer happenings for a tragic example of what is so very Bolivian.

Just over a week ago on Sunday night a group of men were playing cards and drinking in a Bolivian town that is on the border with Brazil.  Something happened and shots rang out.  Three Bolivian men were dead and two more injured.  Two Brazilian men were accused.

On Monday, the police apprehended both suspects, one with the gun used in the shooting in his possession.

A great tragedy, but justice would be served.

Until Tuesday.

On Tuesday a mob of about 300 people swarmed the police.  The police (7 in total) repeatedly fired tear gas into the crowd but eventually gave up and retreated to protect their own safety.  The mob broke in to the jail and took possession of the two suspects.  They were dragged just outside of the town, STONED, and then doused with gasoline and BURNED ALIVE.

On Wednesday a short article appeared in the newspaper stating what had happened and quoting the police chief as saying, "the people do what they want around here" and then on Thursday a small article came out saying that Brazil hoped Bolivia would do something to make sure stuff like that doesn't happen again.

That's it.

Mob "justice" is very normal here.  I've passed many small communities that show dummies hanging from telephone poles at their entrances with signs that say "this is what happens to thieves" and walls that have been spray painted in a nice little rhyme that basically says "thieves will be burned."    

Please pray for the people of Bolivia.