Bolivia: 50 Days of Blockades Cause Deaths and Economic Crisis
Bolivia faces a humanitarian and economic crisis as road blockades by the Bolivian Workers' Center (COB) and peasant sectors reach their 50th day. The Medical College of Bolivia has initiated legal proceedings with the prosecutor's office after confirming the deaths of six people because protesters prevented the passage of ambulances and medical supplies. In La Paz, the situation is critical: surgeries have been postponed, and there is a severe oxygen shortage affecting more than a thousand patients.
The impact on citizens' pockets is severe and varies by region. Due to the disruption of transport, producers have been forced to sell off their products at clearance prices; in Santa Cruz, the price of chicken has dropped to 10 bolivianos, while in La Paz, the shortage has driven the cost up to 40 bolivianos per kilo. Although the Government and the COB have had their first approaches toward dialogue, the Minister of Labor, Williams Bascopé, warned that there are sectors seeking the failure of the negotiations. In the town of Achocalla, groups of neighbors clashed with their leaders, demanding that the pressure measures be lifted so they can work.
Regarding security, the police unit Diprove dismantled a criminal organization in Santa Cruz that violently stole vehicles after targeting victims through social media. The operation resulted in three arrests and the recovery of two automobiles.
Finally, in the legislative and foreign relations sphere, the Senate will form a special commission to investigate the "narcomaderas" case, related to a drug seizure in Chile. On the other hand, a group of Bolivian soldiers returned to the country after an investigation in Chile determined they did not commit crimes when crossing the border; however, Chilean authorities still hold an official vehicle, a rifle, pistols, and cell phones belonging to the uniformed personnel.
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