In the small town of Villa Tunari, tensions reached a boiling point between the Bolivian government and coca farmers, who saw their livelihoods threatened by anti-narcotics operations. On June 27, 1988, a significant protest erupted among local coca growers, who were opposing government efforts to eradicate coca crops in the name of anti-drug policies supported by external forces, particularly the United States. The confrontation escalated when Bolivian anti-narcotics police were deployed to disperse the protesters. Reports indicate that during the violent clash, police opened fire, resulting in the deaths of between nine and twelve protesters and injuries to over a hundred others.The seeds of unrest in Villa Tunari were sown by years of governmental crackdowns on coca cultivation, a crop deeply rooted in local culture and economy. The conflict drew international attention to the broader implications of U.S.-backed anti-drug strategies that often overlooked the socio-economic realities faced by rural farmers. The clash not only intensified the conflict between the state and local farmers but also led to a reevaluation of anti-drug policies in Bolivia and the responsibilities of international partners in facilitating such initiatives.