Bolivia Unrest Deepens After Miners Clash With Police in La Paz

Overview

• The miners’ march, which reached central La Paz on Thursday, saw protesters throw what appeared to be dynamite at police, who fired tear gas and stun devices.
• Organizers said the walkout seeks Paz’s resignation and sector fixes, including easier access to explosives and fuel plus contract and rule changes for mining.
• Local outlets reported a small miners’ delegation entered the presidential palace, and the economy minister said the government was open to dialogue.
• Road blockades have spread nationwide and trapped trucks, cutting deliveries of food, medicine, and oxygen, while the main labor federation COB called an open-ended strike and formalized the demand for Paz to resign.
• Paz on Friday said those pushing him out were trying to destroy democracy, officials pointed to allies of Evo Morales as instigators, and inflation near 14% with fuel and dollar shortages kept daily costs high for households.