Bolivia census protests hit turbulent three-week milestone, strike continues By Reuters

LA PAZ (Reuters) – Bolivia’s largest metropolis Santa Cruz marked three weeks of protests on Friday as demonstrations over a delayed census boiled over.

Santa Cruz, a comparatively rich farming hub and opposition bastion, has in latest days grinded to a halt as a consequence of a normal strike demanding that authorities maintain a census subsequent 12 months earlier than elections in 2025.

On Friday, protesters clashed with government-aligned teams, with native tv displaying altercations involving Molotov cocktails, bikes, firecrackers, stones and sticks.

The three weeks of protests have left 4 individuals lifeless and greater than 170 injured, the federal government reported. It blamed the escalation of violence on Santa Cruz governor Luis Fernando Camacho, who initiated the strike on Oct. 22 together with different opposition teams.

Financial system Minister Marcelo Montenegro on Friday stated the strike, which has worsened meals shortages and despatched already excessive costs hovering, has price some $700 million.

Regional and opposition teams say the socialist authorities in La Paz delayed the census as a result of it will lead to them being allotted extra seats in Congress and extra state sources.

In an opinion column, former Financial system Minister Oscar Ortiz famous that latest years of migration from rural areas to Santa Cruz might drawback the governing Motion to Socialism occasion in congress.

“Demographic developments do not favor them,” Ortiz stated. “It will be more and more troublesome for them to ensure the legislative majorities they’ve loved prior to now.”