Bolivia Protests Escalate in La Paz Miner Clash

Protests escalated in Bolivia's capital of La Paz on Thursday as police fired tear gas to scatter thousands of miners who attempted to storm the government palace while detonating small dynamite charges. The confrontation marked the second week of nationwide unrest challenging President Rodrigo Paz, who assumed office in November 2025 after defeating opponents in a presidential runoff.

The miners, joined by rural schoolteachers marching earlier in the day, demanded labor reforms, higher wages, and fuel supplies amid severe shortages. As the demonstrations intensified, crowds chanted for Paz's resignation. Authorities reported 67 roadblock points across the country, paralyzing key routes connecting La Paz to Peru, Chile, and other regions. A prominent "March for Life to Save Bolivia" caravan, launched May 12 from Caracollo in Oruro department, advanced toward the capital, led by the Bolivian Workers Confederation (COB), peasants, cooperative miners, teachers, and groups aligned with former President Evo Morales.

The unrest began with farmers protesting Law 1720, which allowed land mortgaging and drew opposition from Amazonian and indigenous communities. Paz addressed the...