La paz: Bolivian authorities have detained 57 individuals during recent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces. The unrest is a response to the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

According to Anadolu Agency, the protests saw participation from miners, Indigenous groups, teachers, students, and workers who gathered around La Paz, the administrative capital. They set up roadblocks and engaged in confrontations with the police. The government has reported that three individuals died due to blockades that hindered access to hospitals, while those involved in violent activities were apprehended.

Security forces resorted to using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. In retaliation, protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails during the encounters. Government spokesperson Jose Luis Galvez stated that a large-scale operation involving 3,500 police officers and military personnel was initiated to dismantle barricades and ensure the delivery of essential goods such as food, medical supplies, and oxygen to hospitals. He mentioned that security operations are still underway.

In a related development, several countries, including Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, and Honduras, have issued a collective statement expressing their concern over the situation in Bolivia. They voiced their support and solidarity with President Rodrigo Paz Pereira’s government and condemned any form of violence aimed at destabilizing Bolivia’s democratic framework.

The protests, which have been ongoing for weeks, are driven by issues like fuel shortages, high inflation, a scarcity of US dollars, and the country’s deteriorating economic conditions.