The Santa Cruz Youth Union (Unión Juvenil Cruceñista) (UJC) is a movement based in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Founded in 1957 as an arm of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee (Comite Pro Santa Cruz), the UJC has recently become the subject of controversy and accusation concerning its activities in support of the Santa Cruz autonomy movement in opposition to the government of Evo Morales and his MAS political party.
Claiming a membership of more than two thousand, the UJC has violently enforced general civic strikes called for by the Pro Santa Cruz Committee, intimidated and assaulted leftist political opponents, and provided security for the May 4 Santa Cruz Autonomy referendum, participating in violent clashes the day of the vote. Two members of the UJC were arrested and accused of plotting to assassinate Morales on June 20, 2008, when encountered by police in possession of a rifle, scope, and ammunition in Santa Cruz prior to the president's flight arrival. Some sources claimed that they were captured at the airport, but others located the suspects in a popular market. Nevertheless, the prosecutor dismissed the case and they were both released shortly afterwards.
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