Ap, Xinhua and Sputnik
La Jornada Newspaper
Thursday, November 7, 2024, p. 24
Peace. At the request of former Bolivian president Evo Morales, his supporters lifted the road blockades after more than 20 days of protests, in a demonstration of their intention to dialogue with President Luis Arce.
We are going to momentarily lift the blockadesElena Almendras, leader of the coca growers in Chapare, where Morales is entrenched on his fifth day of hunger strike, announced to the media.
The government reported that the most important roads were cleared and there is free traffic, although television showed roads with stones, which cars avoided.
Almendras assured that they will remain vigil, although for now there is a truce to the protests that the followers of the former coca-growing president undertook to support him after the start of a criminal investigation into the alleged abuse of a 15-year-old girl when he governed the country. (2006-19).
The 24 days of blockades caused economic losses of more than $2.1 billion, according to official figures.
The evistas, who have requested mediation from international organizations, requested the release of more than 40 detained protesters.
Minister Eduardo del Castillo presented 13 of those involved in the kidnapping of two police officers during the road blockade in the town of Parotani, department of Cochabamba, and assured that there will be no dialogue with criminals.
Del Castillo added that the arrested Evistas will be prosecuted for terrorism, kidnapping, serious injuries, attack on the security of means of transportation, attempted murder, criminal organization and attack against members of State security organizations.
