Protesters, Police Clash In Bolivia After New Law Expands State Crackdown Authority
Bolivia unrest escalates after new crackdown law passed.
Protesters and police clashed on Monday in Bolivia as demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz escalated into renewed violence, with security forces using tear gas and detaining dozens of people amid widespread road blockades disrupting the country. The latest confrontations erupted in Cochabamba after President Paz signed legislation that would allow a more forceful government response to the ongoing unrest.
The measure is widely seen as a step toward enabling a hard-line crackdown on protests that have persisted for nearly five weeks across the Andean nation. The demonstrations have been driven by anger over Paz’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidies, as well as broader frustration over inflation, low wages, and worsening shortages. Protesters accuse the government of failing to address economic hardship and of abandoning commitments made during the election campaign.
According to authorities and independent reports, nationwide road blockades have spread to around 90 key routes, severely restricting transport and isolating major urban centers including La Paz and El Alto. The disruption has contributed to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, deepening public discontent and amplifying tensions between protest groups and the government.
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An independent public ombudsman report released over the weekend said that between May 1 and June 2, the unrest has resulted in 10 deaths, 37 injuries, and 365 arrests. The government has stated that seven of the deaths were linked to a lack of medical attention, while investigations into all incidents remain ongoing.
On Monday, President Paz defended the new law, saying it was intended “to protect the majority of the country from the narco-terrorism that is instigating the protests,” while also reiterating his willingness to engage in dialogue with social organizations. However, tensions escalated further as protesters stormed a public transport union office in El Alto, leading to at least 28 arrests, while separate clashes in Cochabamba saw police detain 23 people as demonstrators attempted to block a key bridge linking regions of the country.
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