Cocaleros are the
coca leaf growers of
Peru and
Bolivia. In response to
U.S.-funded attempts to eradicate and fumigate coca crops in the
Chapare region of Bolivia, cocaleros joined with other grassroots indigenous organizations in the country, such as
unionized mine workers and peasants to contest the government.
Evo Morales, who became
president of Bolivia in 2006, is a leader of the cocalero movement in that country.