Bolivia protesters clash with police after president signs emergency powers law
Demonstrators demanding President Rodrigo Paz's resignation threw stones and firecrackers at police in Cochabamba. Officers used tear gas and made dozens of arrests after Paz signed legislation easing a state-of-emergency declaration.
Abc NewsProtesters in Bolivia demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz clashed with police on Monday after he signed a law that makes it easier for the government to declare a state of emergency. In the central city of Cochabamba, demonstrators threw stones, firecrackers and sticks at officers who responded with tear gas.
Police detained 23 people during the confrontation, which occurred as farmers tried to block a bridge linking the region to western Bolivia.
Background to the unrest The clashes followed five weeks of nationwide road blockades organized by Bolivia's national workers' union, peasant farmers and Indigenous groups. The groups oppose Paz's removal of fuel subsidies and say he has not addressed persistent economic problems since taking office seven months ago.
The blockades have cut off major cities, including the capital La Paz and neighboring El Alto, causing shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies. An independent public ombudsman report covering May 1 to June 2 recorded 10 deaths, 37 injuries and 365 arrests linked to the unrest.
Government response Paz said the new law is intended to protect the country from what he called "narco-terrorism" instigating the protests. " After the president's address, crowds stormed a public transport union office in El Alto, leading to at least 28 arrests, police said.
The law still requires Paz to issue a separate decree before any state of emergency can take effect.
