SUMMARY

The conflict between Laimes and Qaqachacas seems to be rooted in a dispute over arable land in the border territory between the Oruro and Potosi departments of Bolivia. Extreme poverty has also been named as a possible reason for why the low-level conflict escalated in early 2000, leaving 50 people dead in the first half of the year, but it seems as though it was an escalating spiral of retaliation attacks.

Both groups have used conventional weapons such as rifles but also massive attacks with up to 1000 people mobilizing and attacking a village of the other side, such as the attack on Sora Sora in January 2000. Reports from later in the year, as well as reports from before 2000, talk about bodies that have been shot and later gutted or cut to pieces.

According to government sources the conflict between Laimes and Qaqachacas and Jucumanis has been ongoing since 1830. During this time as many as 10000 people are estimated to have been killed. In the period between 1970 and 1990, it is estimated that there were more than 500 casualties.

The non-state conflict between Laimes and Qaqachacas is first included in UCDP data in 2000. In January of that year violent clashes flared up in the region, resulting in over 25 battle-related deaths.