At least four first responders have died in Bolivia amid rising confrontations between security forces and anti-government protesters, the nation’s Justice Minister Cesar Siles acknowledged on Thursday.
The unrest, which escalated in the last few days, is due to widespread protests organized by followers of ousted President Evo Morales. Anti-government protesters have closed major highways across the Andean country, disrupting traffic and leading to clashes with police and soldiers seeking to clear the roadblocks.
Siles, during a press conference in La Paz, said, “There are already four officers who have been killed,” and added that some of them had been killed by gunshot wounds. The victims were three police officers and one firefighter, as reported by Bolivia’s state-owned news agency.
The roadblocks have largely taxed the nation’s infrastructure and increased political tensions. Protesters are calling for political reforms and have expressed displeasure with the government’s economic and social handling under the current administration.
Attempts at unblocking shut roads have been faced with intense resistance, leading to skirmishes that have now become fatal. Authorities are still reviewing the situation, and more security personnel have been sent into high-risk zones.
The fatalities among the first responders have further intensified national alarm and attracted criticism from government spokesmen and civil society organizations.
