Tensions Erupt in La Paz: Thousands Demand President's Resignation
La Paz, Bolivia – Thousands of protesters converged on the capital Monday, demanding the immediate resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Law enforcement deployed tear gas to disperse the crowds as the demonstration escalated.
A Broad Coalition Takes to the Streets
The protest drew a diverse cross-section of Bolivian society, including farmers, miners, teachers, and indigenous communities. United in their demands, the groups called for higher wages and an immediate end to the privatization of state-owned companies.
Government Response Escalates
In a dramatic turn, Public Prosecutor Attorney General Roger Mariaca announced that an arrest warrant would be issued for Mario Argollo, the head of the country’s largest union, the COB. Argollo faces accusations of terrorism and inciting the protests, a move that threatens to further inflame tensions in the already volatile political climate.