Anti-Government Protests in Bolivia Turn Violent; President Does Not Rule Out State of Emergency

In Bolivia's administrative capital, La Paz, protesters opposing right-wing President Rodrigo Paz blocked roads, leading to clashes with police attempting to clear the barricades to allow supplies to enter. Paz has not ruled out declaring a state of emergency. AFP reported that protesters set up roadblocks in over 50 locations nationwide, including around La Paz, causing shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. Marco Cuttila, a student in La Paz, said, "We don't know how much longer we can hold out... sometimes there isn't even enough to eat." Riot police began clearing obstacles early this morning, firing tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to hold the barricades, with the confrontation lasting several hours. Although some cargo vehicles managed to pass, by evening, parts of the areas were re-occupied by protesters. Pro-business President Paz took office six months ago as Bolivia faced its worst economic crisis since the 1980s, with severe fuel and foreign exchange shortages and runaway inflation. To stop the drain on foreign reserves, he canceled fuel subsidies that had been in place for 20 years, but fuel supplies remain unstable, fueling public anger. While Paz has promised to address the grievances of unions and indigenous groups, calls for his resignation continue. In an interview with Argentine TV station TN (Todo Noticias), Paz said he would "do everything possible" to dialogue with protesters, but warned that "everything has a limit," and did not rule out measures such as declaring a state of emergency if necessary.