Paz and Bolivia's Vice President meet after months apart to discuss conflict

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz and Vice President Edmand Lara, who have been estranged for months, met Wednesday to discuss the country's escalating social conflicts. The meeting, held at the Legislative Assembly, was an initiative by Lara, who also presides over the legislature, and included the heads of the Senate, Diego Ávila, and the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Castro, along with parliamentary party leaders.

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that is the way to act, by coordinating.

President Paz, who attended the meeting after initially intending to send the Minister of the Presidency, praised Lara's initiative, stating, "That is the way to act, by coordinating." The meeting's stated objective, according to the invitation letter, was to "find points of agreement that allow for the resolution of social concerns and advance the development" of Bolivian society.

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find points of agreement that allow for the resolution of social concerns and advance the development.

Following the talks, Vice President Lara expressed gratitude to the parliamentary leaders for their efforts in seeking solutions through dialogue. He conveyed President Paz's assurance that he would "exhaust all avenues" for dialogue with the conflicting sectors before resorting to a "state of exception." Lara also mentioned that the government had responded to the demands of the La Paz Tupac Katari Peasant Federation, which has been blocking roads since early May.

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that he is going to exhaust all instances to dialogue with the sectors in conflict before going to a state of exception.

Lara reiterated the commitment of both the executive and legislative branches to defending the constitution and democracy, emphasizing that dialogue would be the chosen path to resolve the conflict and bring peace to the nation. The relationship between Paz and Lara has been notably tense since their election victory last October, with Lara feeling marginalized and openly criticizing the government, even declaring himself in "constructive opposition" in December. Their public appearances together have been rare, marked by minimal interaction.

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We are firm, both the Executive and the Legislative, in the defense of the Constitution and democracy. We are going to continue building the bridge so that the sectors sit down to dialogue and that dialogue is the way this conflict is resolved and the country is pacified.