By walking a tightrope between his truculent tin miners and annoyed U.S. officials, Bolivia's President Hernán Siles Zuazo squeaked through still another crisis last week. He not only ended a 13-day strike, but also persuaded the U.S. to resume its financial help.
At issue was the Bolivian government subsidy to tin-mine commissaries, enabling them to sell food at about 30% below city prices. Politically, it is a local asset; economically, it is disastrous, considering the fact that Bolivia's nationalized mines lost $9,000,000 last year. But when the U.S. got tired of talking and suspended aid to Bolivia, Siles was in...
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