Violent clashes erupted in La Paz on Thursday as thousands of miners marched through the city, calling for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Demonstrators confronted police while attempting to enter Plaza Murillo and breach the government palace, leading police to use tear gas to disperse the crowds. Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing protesters throw what appeared to be dynamite sticks.
The mining groups are demanding labor reforms, revisions to contracts, and the implementation of mining regulations. Additionally, they are seeking greater access to fuel and explosives.
These protests come just six months after President Paz's inauguration, following a resounding electoral victory on a platform of economic reform. Bolivia is currently facing its worst economic crisis in a generation, characterized by a deepening fuel crisis, a shortage of U.S. dollars, and falling domestic energy production.
Social unrest is growing as tensions mount involving farming, mining, and other union-aligned groups. Government officials have attributed the protests to the opposition, claiming they are stoking the unrest.