Bolivia: Security forces fail to clear key route as protesters regain control

An attempt by Bolivian security forces to clear a strategic route in the eastern Santa Cruz region ended in failure on Saturday, with protesters retaking control after clashes. The operation in San Julián, a rural town, saw police and military forces withdraw after facing resistance, allowing demonstrators to re-establish blockades on a crucial transport corridor.

According to regional police commander Col. David Gómez, the road was initially cleared but protesters regrouped. He stated that security forces used only anti-riot equipment. The confrontations left six police officers and 26 civilians injured, mostly with bruises, according to the public hospital director in San Julián. The town has become a focal point of a 36-day crisis that has paralyzed several national routes.

Following the security forces' retreat, protesters reportedly looted the local police station, highlighting the intense tension gripping Bolivia. This situation contrasts with a successful operation the previous day that cleared a road vital for supplying La Paz. The blockades are severely affecting the capital and the neighboring city of El Alto, leading to shortages of food, fuel, and medical oxygen. Authorities attribute at least ten deaths to delayed medical attention caused by the transit disruptions.

As the conflict persists, residents are seeking alternatives. In producer towns south of La Paz, improvised markets have emerged, allowing farmers to sell produce directly. Hundreds of people walk long distances to buy vegetables and other food items, illustrating the widespread impact of the ongoing protests.

“

The road was cleared initially, but the protesters regrouped to maintain the blockades.