Word: lechin
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1960-1969
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...When you mentioned Lechin's remark, "It is a tradition in the mines" [Dec. 20], you reminded me of the following...
Working for the Compania Minera de Oruro in the tin-mining camp of Colquiri, one early morning in 1948, tin miners led by Juan Lechin invaded our homes and took us to union headquarters with shouts of "Que mueren los gringos...
...Juan Lechin, now Vice President, used these tactics a long time ago; and having armed tin miners on his side is a grave threat to the Bolivian government, which has tried hard to run the mines economically...
Grudging Hands. A fine drizzle fell over the 14,000-ft.-high plateau as Lechin arrived at Siglo Veinte. With him were the Archbishop of La Paz, U.S. Consul Charles Thomas, TIME Correspondent Gavin Scott, and six other newsmen. A mine siren sounded, and 3,500 grimy miners gathered in front of the union hall. Many of them were in an ugly mood. "Down with the stooges of Yankee imperialism," they chanted. "To the wall! To the wall!" A note of urgent pleading in his voice, Lechin told them that President Paz Estenssoro had promised a fair trial...
...Lechin used the kind of argument he thought would be effective in such a tense situation. The Bolivian government and the Yankees in Washington didn't care if the hostages died; in fact it would provide an excuse to attack Siglo Veinte. Three thousand government troops were nine miles away; there would be much bloodshed. Naturally, said Lechin, he put little faith in the government's promises. "I have my doubts about this agreement. But the fact is that the life of this community is at stake." At last, with a grudging show of hands the miners voted...