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Bolivian Troops Lose Hold On Major Airport

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By HAROLD OLMOS, The Associated Press

Published: October 20, 2007

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia - Armed with clubs and waving provincial flags, thousands of residents of Bolivia's wealthiest province seized control of the country's busiest airport Friday from troops sent in by President Evo Morales.

The retaking of the airport was a victory for leaders of a province fighting for greater autonomy from the socialist central government.

Soldiers and military police melted away before the protesters flooded into Santa Cruz's Viru Viru airport, avoiding clashes.

Morales ordered 220 troops to take control of the airport Thursday after workers threatened to block flights that did not pay landing fees to local officials rather than the national airport authority.

Among the carriers affected was American Airlines, which canceled two flights through Santa Cruz on Wednesday and one on Thursday. The airline, a unit of Dallas-based AMR Corp., said it was back to its normal two flights through Santa Cruz on Friday.

The dispute quickly became a flashpoint between Bolivia's national government and a region seeking greater autonomy.

At least two soldiers were wounded Thursday, one by gunfire, and local hospitals reported that about 20 other people were injured, some by tear gas fired by troops to repel protesters shouting, 'The airport belongs to Santa Cruz!'

Santa Cruz Gov. Ruben Costas called on residents Friday to retake the airport and thousands responded, marching past startled passengers into the terminal and waving clubs and green-and-white Santa Cruz flags.

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