Bolivia Anti-Government Protests Escalate: 4 Police Officers Shot in Clashes

(Central News Agency, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, 7th Combined Foreign Reports) Clashes broke out between police and anti-government protesters in eastern Bolivia on Saturday. As authorities tried to clear roadblocks set up by workers, gunfire suddenly erupted, leaving four police officers injured by gunshots. The protesters are demanding the resignation of President Paz.

According to reports, demonstrations calling for the resignation of center-right President Rodrigo Paz have been ongoing for a month. Approximately 100 roadblocks have paralyzed the Andean nation, leading to severe shortages of food and medicine in major cities.

Dozens of riot police fired tear gas on Saturday while attempting to clear roadblocks in the town of San Julian, with military vehicles providing support at the scene.

San Julian is located in the Santa Cruz region, considered Bolivia's agricultural heartland and a crucial granary for the western part of the country.

An AFP reporter at the scene witnessed protesters throwing stones and burning tires in an attempt to block the police advance.

Colonel David Gomez, chief of the Santa Cruz police, told local media that the clashes resulted in six police officers being injured, four of whom were shot, and at least 14 civilians were also injured.

Ultimately, the roadblocks were partially cleared temporarily, but protesters subsequently re-erected them.

Paz, who is backed by the United States and pro-business, took office last November, pledging to resolve Bolivia's worst economic crisis in decades. However, his unpopular economic reforms and failure to address social demands have fueled public discontent.

Paz has repeatedly called for dialogue with the protesters, but on the 3rd he announced he would propose a state of emergency bill authorizing military deployment and forced removal of roadblocks, which is currently under congressional review. (Editor: Shi Shi) 1150607