The Bolivian government stated this Monday (18) that it identified alleged armed groups among the demonstrators marching toward La Paz to demand the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Presidential spokesperson José Luis Gálvez pointed to a former Ministry of Defense employee as the leader of a radical faction that displayed weapons in a video on social media.
Bolivia
El Salvador and Guatemala have joined eight Latin American countries, including Paraguay, in a joint declaration supporting the government of Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz amid protests and roadblocks that have lasted 11 days. The group rejects destabilizing actions and calls for dialogue, while Bolivia launches a military operation to clear the roads.
Bolivia's Ombudsman's Office reported 47 detained and 5 injured after a joint police and military operation to unblock highways in the La Paz department. Clashes between protesters and security forces left injured, including assaulted journalists. The Bolivian Workers' Center and the Federation of Peasants of La Paz demand the resignation of President Luis Arce.