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Leading the fiery demonstrations was Evo Morales, a native Aymara cocalero from the Chapare and the president of a powerful coca-growers’ union, raging against neoliberal economics and the war on coca — both seen as stand-ins for gringo imperialism.

“I talked to Evo about rehab and what worked for him, what things he changed, but honestly, it was just nice to have a friend who understood,” said Taillon, 33.

“In baseball, there’s a lot of machismo. Guys don’t want their feelings to be known. But for me, it was really scary. There aren’t many success stories. But Evo had been through it, and that was always a reminder for me, of like, ‘I can do this.’

The army had started an operation to remove blockades around the country on Friday morning, local media reported, after weeks of clashes between supporters of former President Evo Morales and the police.

Decades later, a fragment of that dream has begun to materialize, and residential towers with Space Age names — Evo, Aven, E11even — occupy former parking lots.