Bolivia approves military action against protests

TT

Published 16.06

 

Military police outside the government building in La Paz, Bolivia. Photo: Juan Karita /AP/TT

Bolivia's Congress passed a new law on Sunday that allows the military to be deployed against the protests and blockades that are shaking the country.

Anti-government protests against the US-backed government of President Rodrigo Paz have been going on for weeks. The dissatisfaction is related to the economic crisis and hardship in the Latin American country.

Riot police have repeatedly, and most recently on Saturday, acted against demonstrators and carried out operations against illegal roadblocks that are part of the protests.

- The law has now been adopted. It will be transferred to the executive branch, announced the speaker of the lower house, Roberto Castro, after a debate that lasted into the night hours in La Paz.

Roadblocks have repeatedly hindered transport to and from the country's major cities.