“We receive with deep sadness the news of the death of brother and comrade Rolando “Flaco” Borda, historic trade union and proletarian leader. His struggle, consequence and revolutionary commitment with the working class endures. Our condolences to his family,” Arce wrote on his Twitter account.
Borda died the day before, victim of a massive heart attack with respiratory arrest.
Referring to the death of the man who in 2015 was candidate for governor of the Santa Cruz department for the Movement Towards Socialism-Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (MAS-IPSP), Evo Morales called him “brother of the soul”.
“With great pain and sadness we received the confirmation of the death of our soul brother and comrade of struggle Rolando “Flaco” Borda, historic, dignified and supportive leader of the Departmental Central Obrera of SantaCruz. Solidarity with his family and the working class,” he wrote.
For his part, the Minister of Government, Eduardo del Castillo, of Santa Cruz origin like Borda, evoked the influence of the deceased union leader. “(…) A union and ideological leader from whom all our generation learned the meaning of commitment to the people and the unwavering struggle for our revolutionary principles”, highlighted del Castillo.
The Vice Minister of Communication, Gabriela Alcón, meanwhile, said this is a great loss and expressed her “most heartfelt condolences to the family”.
Born on June 27, 1960, Borda became known as a soccer player for the Santa Cruz oil team.
After his career as an athlete, he began to work as a custodian in that sector, and due to his activism he became a prominent union leader, first in the state-owned Bolivian Fiscal Oil Fields, and later in the COD.
His combative role in the ranks of MAS-IPSP and in defense of the Process of Change made him a target for the paramilitary forces of the Santa Cruz power groups, and during the 2019 coup d’état he saved his life by escaping through the roof of his house and seeking refuge in the mountains.
More recently, during the 36-day strike in Santa Cruz with the slogan “census 2023 yes or yes,” he miraculously survived by hiding during the occupation and burning of the COD headquarters.
ef/ybc/mem/jpm
