Bolivian police continue clearing routes although military checkpoint remains in control of protesters

Bolivian police began on Monday to clear an important route that connects the country, in the fourth week of road blockades organized by followers of former president Evo Morales. Meanwhile, the government confirmed that one of the three military regiments “taken over” in the center of the country by supporters of the former president remains under its control.

“We are going to peacefully unblock the routes that have been taken by criminal groups,” said Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo on Monday, while the police began to remove the blockades on the route that connects La Paz, in the west of the country, with Santa Cruz, in the east, to restore the transit of food and fuel

“There is a barracks that is still taken. In the others we are carrying out an inventory of the weapons inside the barracks,” del Castillo added.

Meanwhile, with the support of tractors, hundreds of police advanced, clearing the route of debris, while the blockades peacefully retreated before the advance of the large police contingent.

Behind them, dozens of trucks and vehicles stranded for several days were waiting to resume their journey, according to live images from several television stations.

Last week in a similar operation, the government managed to open another vital route to La Paz, which has managed to remain clear. According to del Castillo, in that operation the police were attacked with dynamite by the protesters and 66 of them were arrested on charges of terrorism.

The cuts began on October 14 in support of Morales, who faces an investigation for the alleged abuse of a minor under 15 years old when he was president (2006-2019). His followers demand the resignation of President Luis Arce due to the deterioration of the economy.

The blockades have left losses for more than a billion dollars, according to Vice Minister of Commerce Grover Lacoa and 35 injured according to the Ministry of Health. mostly police officers.

This is a new chapter in the long dispute between Morales and Arce for control of the party apparatus ahead of the 2025 elections, in the midst of a severe economic and political crisis in the country and the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS) that governs 18 years old.

The protest has paralyzed the country, aggravating the shortage of food and fuel and strong questions about Arce’s management.

Morales, 65, says that the court case has been “mounted” to remove him from the electoral race, while Arce accuses his mentor of a political conspiracy and an “economic blockade” to force his resignation.

From his stronghold in the coca-growing region of Chapare where he is sheltered, Morales began a hunger strike over the weekend. In statements to The Associated Press, he indicated that he is willing to continue his fight, but also “to start a dialogue without conditions” and with the mediation of “international organizations or friendly countries.”

“There may be dialogue, but impunity or violation of the rules that guarantee free transit will not be negotiated,” Del Castillo responded to the media.

This week the political dispute will move from the roads to the Legislative Assembly where neither force controls the majority. Deputies and senators will renew their directives and attention is focused on the Senate, controlled by the wing loyal to Morales. Arce’s followers seek to replace the current president of the senators, Andrónico Rodríguez, Morales’ strong man.

The Senate is in third place in the constitutional succession in the event of a possible resignation of the president and vice president. “There are no longer political hegemonies, but blocs. The scenario for the election of the presidents of the chambers is complex and I hope the legislators do not think about their leaders but rather about providing solutions for the country in the face of the current crisis,” said opposition deputy Marcelo Pedraza.

Deputies and senators have called a session on Tuesday to elect their presidencies.

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