US EditionMiners clash with police in Bolivia as protests over fuel subsidies enter second week
Miners and allied groups clashed with police over fuel subsidy cuts that doubled gas prices, marking the eighth day of protests against economic reforms by President Rodrigo Paz.
- On Tuesday, Bolivian miners set off dynamite sticks and launched fireworks at police on the eighth consecutive day of protests while police in La Paz used tear gas and rubber bullets to push back hundreds near the nation's Congress.
- In December, the president signed a decree slashing fuel subsidies that economists say worsened a severe U.S. dollar shortage; last week, miners from state-owned companies protested in La Paz against Rodrigo Paz’s reforms.
- Without the subsidies, gasoline prices nearly doubled from 53 cents per liter to $1, and teachers unions and some Indigenous groups joined while many trade groups, including transport workers, stayed out.
- Police did not report any arrests despite clashes, and Mario Argollo, leader for Bolivia's Central Workers Union, said the protest opposes the decree that will burden new generations with debt.
- Diplomatic outreach coincides with political resistance from long-dominant constituencies as Rodrigo Paz improves ties with the United States by accepting an ambassador after a 17-year gap this year.
20 Articles
20 Articles
Protests Led by Bolivian Miners Enter Second Week
In Bolivia, protests led by miners have entered a second week, with police forces on Tuesday firing tear gas at demonstrators in the capital La Paz. Protesters have condemned new austerity measures issued by the government of President Rodrigo Paz Pereira, who took office in early November. The decree has doubled gasoline prices and tripled diesel costs, with labor leaders and workers saying the new reforms will also skyrocket food and transport…
The measure, which eliminates fuel subsidies after two decades of stability, triggered a widespread rise in family basket prices and public transport.
Associated Press News
Miners clash with police in Bolivia as protests over fuel subsidies enter second week
Bolivian miners have set off dynamite and launched fireworks at police during protests against economic reforms by President Rodrigo Paz.
Under the governments of Evo Morales and Luis Arce, Bolivia imported fuels at international prices, to be sold in the...
La Paz., A group of union leaders yesterday began a hunger strike in Bolivia in rejection of the elimination of the fuel subsidy decreed by the government on December 18.
Decree 5503, promulgated on December 17 as part of the declaration of Economic, Financial, Energy and Social Emergency, determined the end of fuel subsidies and set new prices. The combination of this adjustment with measures...
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