Photos| Violent confrontations in Bolivia between police and demonstrators against the country’s president
The center-right president is facing increasing pressure from peasants, workers, miners and teachers against the backdrop of the worst economic crisis Bolivia has witnessed in four decades.
Demonstrators equipped with improvised explosives, sticks and stones tried to Arriving at Morillo Square, where the presidential palace is located, Agence France-Presse noted, but hundreds of riot police repelled them using tear gas.
The Public Prosecution announced that it had issued an arrest warrant against Mario Arguello, who heads the largest labor union and is considered one of the most prominent leaders of the protests, on charges including: "Public incitement to commit crimes" and"Terrorism"
The government accuses former socialist President Evo Morales, who held power between 2006 and 2019, of being behind the unrest.
Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinosa told the station "Red Uno" Television that the demonstrators are "Political tools" For Morales in his attempt to return "To power"Protesters regained control of a number of them on the same day.
These barriers cut off the administrative capital from the rest of Bolivia, leading to shortages of fuel, food, and medicine. The government announced that it would work again on Tuesday to open the blocked roads.
La Paz last week also witnessed several anti-government demonstrations in protest against fuel shortages and the significant rise in inflation rates.
Bolivia is witnessing the worst economic crisis since the 1980s, as it has exhausted its dollar reserves to finance fuel subsidies that were canceled in December, and the annual inflation rate reached 14% in April.
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
