Six Bolivian states are going on strike in opposition to the proposed new constitution, a document so controversial that it’s left at least 3 dead in violent protests over the last week. Reports Mexico City’s La Jornada:

The most important states of Bolivia, those which contribute 80% of the Internal Brute Product for the country, are going on a 48-hour strike to protest the constitution project approved by president Evo Morales.

The movement began this Tuesday in the northern state of Pando but the strongest part of it will happen on Wednesday when the powerful Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni, Cochabamba y Chuquisaca states will join, according to an announcement made by organizers on Monday.

That same day, leaders announced a hunger strike for December 3rd, and challenged President Morales to submit to a referendum to approve his presidency.

Violence in Sucre last week was attributed to the fact that the new constitution was reportedly approved in a military college there without the presence of members of the opposition.

Vice-president Alvaro Garcia, speaking about the economic “war” (his words) that the opposition is waging against the government, called plans to present a document declaring autonomy from the Bolivian state a “coup”.

Via / La Jornada

Image: AP Photo/Juan Karita