Bolivian president warns country at ‘breaking point’ after month of protests

Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has warned the country is “at breaking point” after a month of anti-government protests that have led to seven deaths and hundreds of arrests.

Demonstrators led by unions and indigenous groups have set up roadblocks across Bolivia, causing serious shortages of basic goods and paralysing large parts of the nation.

Groups are calling for the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and a rollback of austerity measures, as well as Paz’s resignation.

But the US-backed leader, who took office six months ago during an economic crisis, said anyone “wanting to destroy the nation” would have to deal with him and the full force of the constitution.

Paz has been battling growing fury over his centre-right policies, with the protests originally triggered at the end of April by a land reform he proposed.

Some small-scale farmers were worried the measure would make it easier for large landowners to buy up small properties.

The government insisted any sale would have to be voluntary, but powerful organisations representing small-scale farmers were not convinced and blocked the country’s main highways in protest.

Paz has since scrapped the reform, but by then the farmers had been joined by other sectors of society venting their grievances.

The government has also scrapped long-standing fuel subsidies amid shortages and inflation, which in turn has raised living costs and enraged a large sector of the population.

Road blockades erected by angry protesters have further exacerbated fuel shortages, creating a vicious circle.

The Bolivian leader renewed his appeal for dialogue and insisted the country needs order, but has not ruled out using so-called “constitutional instruments” to end the blockades.

On Tuesday, Bolivia’s Congress voted to make it easier for the president to declare a state of emergency and use the military to regain control.

Lawmakers who backed the move said “violent” groups should not be able to dictate to the elected government, but those who voted against the measure warned it could heighten social tensions.

Paz has previously tried to quell the unrest by reshuffling his cabinet, slashing his salary and that of his ministers, and announcing the creation of a council to negotiate with sectors of society which feel isolated under his government.

But so far, these measures have not subdued the widespread anger.

It’s estimated that the protests are causing daily economic losses of more than $50m nationwide.

المصدر: MyJoyOnline (GH)