Peasant Leader Arrested in Bolivia Over Road Blockades

Bolivian peasant leader David Quispe has been arrested in El Alto and transferred to La Paz, accused of orchestrating road blockades that paralyzed western departments between May and June. Quispe faces charges including terrorism, armed uprising, and attacks on state property, as part of 114 judicial processes stemming from the protests.

The arrest highlights internal conflicts within the Csutcb, a major peasant organization. Quispe was recently installed as executive after two other leaders, Víctor Hugo Roca and Hilarión Medrano Mamani, were expelled for allegedly not supporting the base during the road blockades. Quispe's ascension was short-lived, as police apprehended him just a week after he took leadership.

According to the La Paz departmental prosecutor, Luis Carlos Torrez, 335 people are wanted in connection with the May and June blockades. President Rodrigo Paz has warned that those who caused suffering during the protests will face consequences, stating that anyone blocking roads will go to jail.

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all those who block will go to jail