Wednesday, August 20, 2008 - 18:30
AFP News Briefs ListRoadblocks in Bolivia to protest Morales policies
Demonstrators opposed to socialist reforms imposed by President Evo Morales on Wednesday threw up roadblocks in parts of eastern Bolivia, extending protests expressed in a strike the day before.
The barriers across key roads in the states of Santa Cruz, Pando and Beni were to remain for 24 hours. Television images showed demonstrators stopping traffic.
In Santa Cruz, the main bastion of opposition, militant youths belonging to a group associated with city leaders were seen manning roadblocks.
No violent incidents were reported early Wednesday.
On Tuesday, though, during a 24-hour strike observed in five of Bolivia's nine states, clashes occurred between the opposition youths and pro-Morales indigenous supporters. Five people were hurt in the stone-throwing melees.
The opposition governors in charge of Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca -- half the territory of South America's poorest nation -- are backing protests against Morales.
The president, Bolivia's first indigenous leader, won support of two-thirds of the country in an August 10 referendum for his policies, which include nationalization of key industries and changes to give more land and national revenues to the indigenous majority.
But the plebiscite also strengthened the mandates of the opposition governors.
The situation has deepened a political crisis in the country, and there are fears sporadic violence could broaden into open conflict.
A principal point of contention is Morales's decision to tax regional revenues from gas fields located in the east of the country.
The governors are demanding the government return 166 million dollars already raised through the levy.
Images
Pro-autonomy activists set up a barricade across a street during a civic strike, in downtown Santa Cruz, Bolivia on August 19, 2008. Demonstrators opposed to socialist reforms imposed by President Evo Morales on Wednesday threw up roadblocks in parts of eastern Bolivia, extending protests expressed in a strike the day before.
© 2007 AFP Javier Mamani
Images
Pro-autonomy activists block street during a civic strike, in downtown Santa Cruz, Bolivia on August 19, 2008. Demonstrators opposed to socialist reforms imposed by President Evo Morales on Wednesday threw up roadblocks in parts of eastern Bolivia, extending protests expressed in a strike the day before.
© 2007 AFP Javier Mamani
