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Original article: Ni Ejército ni Policía frenan la protesta: bloqueos suben a 46 y Central Obrera Boliviana vuelve a marchar contra Rodrigo Paz

Neither the deployment of the Army nor the operations of the National Police have managed to contain the crisis and the popular discontent shaking Bolivia. The Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) intensified its mobilizations on Thursday with a massive protest march against President Rodrigo Paz, while the number of nationwide blockades surged from 32 to 46 in just 24 hours, according to government reports.

The march began mid-morning, starting from the city of El Alto and advancing toward downtown La Paz, deepening an indefinite general strike with anti-neoliberal sentiments that has lasted over two weeks. Protesters demand the immediate resignation of the right-wing leader, whose administration has unleashed a social and economic crisis resulting in unsustainable increases in basic service costs.

Furthermore, under the premise of reactivating the economy and reforming the state, the government is pushing a package of 10 laws that benefits transnational corporations while adversely affecting citizens’ living conditions.

During the mobilization, thousands of workers, farmers, and activists marched down the main avenue chanting against Paz, reiterating that they will not relent on their demands until the government addresses their grievances.

In response, the government launched combined operations in strategic areas to combat shortages. At the Senkata plant in El Alto, security forces established a «humanitarian cordon» allowing 70 tanker trucks to deliver fuel to La Paz and the surrounding area. Additionally, a joint military-police operation cleared protesters from the route to Santa Cruz, in the eastern part of the country, which had been occupied by demonstrators since early Thursday.

However, leaders of the Aymara farmers affirmed the continuation of the indefinite strike and made it clear that they will re-establish roadblocks at the same locations they were removed from.

46 Nationwide Blockade Points

According to TeleSUR, the conflict map has shifted: while initially concentrated in the urban centers of La Paz and El Alto, protests and pressure actions have now spread to provinces and interdepartmental highways.

Out of the 46 blockade points, Aymara farmers from the altiplano control at least 26. Indigenous organizations condemned the government’s statements and warned that they will escalate protests and actively resist any military eviction attempts.

In a press conference, President Rodrigo Paz announced the establishment of an «Economic and Social Council,» a monthly dialogue platform set to start this weekend. He claimed it is open only to those willing to negotiate on his terms. In fact, the president firmly closed the door on leaders involved in the protests, stating he would not engage in dialogue with those promoting the indefinite strike and demanding his resignation, labeling them publicly as «vandals».

It’s important to note that since last week, there has been an arrest warrant issued against the COB’s executive secretary, Mario Argollo, accused of public instigation to commit crimes, terrorism, and other offenses due to his involvement in the protests, which diminishes any prospect of short-term rapprochement.

Meanwhile, the conflict shows no signs of abating, and neither the Army nor the Police have managed to stop the people from taking to the streets.

*Featured image: La Hora de Ecuador

La entrada Neither Army nor Police Stop Protests: Blockades Rise to 46 as Central Obrera Boliviana Marches Against Rodrigo Paz se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.