Thousands of protesters demand president's resignation in Bolivia's La Paz

Bolivia is experiencing its worst economic crisis in 40 years, with year-on-year inflation reaching 14 percent in April and worsening purchasing power. Antigovernment protests have spread nationwide, with thousands of farmers, miners, teachers, public sector workers, and Indigenous communities converging on La Paz after weeks of mobilisations. Road blockades have left the administrative capital short of food, fuel, and medicine. Tear gas was used as riot police confronted demonstrators attempting to reach the main square, where protesters hurled stones and small explosives. Authorities reported no official injury toll, while reports cited at least two injuries and more than 100 detentions. The unrest is fueled by anger over wage demands, economic instability, and moves to privatise state-owned companies, alongside the scrapping of fuel subsidies that has not stabilized supplies and has increased prices and shortages.

"Bolivia faces its worst economic crisis in 40 years, fueling nationwide protests demanding the president's resignation. Antigovernment protests have escalated across Bolivia, with thousands of people demanding the resignation of centre-right President Rodrigo Paz as road blockades leave the administrative capital, La Paz, short of food, fuel and medicine."

"On Monday, farmers, miners, teachers, public sector workers and Indigenous communities converged on the city after weeks of mobilisations over wage increases, economic instability and moves to privatise state-owned companies. Bolivia is facing its worst economic crisis in 40 years, with year-on-year inflation reaching 14 percent in April, eroding purchasing power and deepening anger over rising living costs."

"Tear gas blanketed central La Paz for hours as riot police confronted the demonstrators trying to reach the main square that houses key government buildings. Protesters hurled stones and small explosives in response. Authorities have not released an official injury toll, but the AFP news agency reported that at least two protesters were injured. Images released by the government showed protesters entering an office and carrying away furniture, computers and other equipment."

"Paz, who took office less than six months ago after two decades of largely socialist rule, has moved quickly to scrap longstanding fuel subsidies that officials say had drained Bolivia's foreign currency reserves. The decision has so far failed to stabilise fuel supplies and has instead intensified public anger over higher prices and shortages."

Read at www.aljazeera.com