Santa Cruz - updates? opinions?

Hi Laurie, Ive been living in Santa Cruz for over 3 years now. In my opinion it has never been unsafe over the last 3 years. Sure most of the opposition against the government of Evo Morales can be found in Santa Cruz, and there have been protests and strikes this year, but never did I feel unsafe. The same story I hear from tourists I speak.

The riots this year took place in Sucre, not in Santa Cruz. About 3 times this year we had a ´paro civico´ in Santa Cruz which means everything closes/shuts down. And of course there are the occasional road blocks.
But as far as safety concerns, I wouldnt worry at all.

Gijs
Tours in Bolivia

Go back two threads to the one headed “Bolivia Roadblock status due to new constitution” and you will find a lengthy reply by me which may be of use.
In a nutshell: You need expect no problems for the next few weeks, other than conceivably one of those "paros cívicos" which brings everything to a halt in Santa Cruz.
By the way, in no past or recent protests have foreigners been targets, although it´s best to stay out of any demos. There is a fair amount of anti-American rhetoric by the central government (not in Santa Cruz), but I haven´t noticed it reflected in any animosity towards individual US citizens.
If you were Cuban or Venezuelan you might need to be careful in Santa Cruz ...

Thanks for the replies and reassurances. The anti-American rhetoric is a little concerning, but it sounds like I will be safe in Santa Cruz.

Threeshire, I did read your earlier post. Thanks for the information - very helpful.

I am going ahead with my trip, but would still appreciate any information that arises. It sounds like it is important to stay informed and lie low when things get tense.

Thanks again for all the input.
Laurie

"Anti-American rhetoric" - let me rephrase that to read

"Anti-American government rhetoric".
I repeat that I have seen no indication that this rhetoric has rubbed off on attitudes to individual Americans or that American visitors (or for that matter foreigners in general) are the target of animosity anywhere in Bolivia.
This might not apply, for example, if an American were seen taking photos of coca plantations in the Chapare or Yungas, but the reaction would be based on an assumption that the individual was involved in drug erradication activities rather than on nationality. Another case might be for a "gringo" or two to show up unannounced in a remote village (particularly in the highlands) and without any preliminary schmoozing to start asking questions about social and economic circumstances, taking notes and photographing people .
Being rhetorically anti-American has always been a cheap way of scoring points for nationalist and/or left-wing governments in Latin America. Perceived policies of the present US government combine with circumstances here to make this seem particularly attractive right now to the government of Evo Morales - when in doubt blame it on the "gringos"!
Presumably your contacts in the clinic in Santa Cruz are also in a position to keep you in the picture regarding any developments there.