Bolivia's Paz Strikes Deal With COB Union After 50 Days of Protests
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 19
Bolivia's Paz Strikes Deal With COB Union After 50 Days of Protests
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 19
Summary
Rodrigo Paz signed an agreement with Bolivia's COB labor union on Friday, opening a path to ease a 50-day protest crisis that has paralyzed transport and supply chains.
Roadblocks that began with a May workers' strike cut access to La Paz and El Alto—home to about 2 million people—leaving long fuel lines and disrupting food and medical deliveries.
The unrest was driven by demands to reverse austerity measures and address rising living costs, but the accord covers only part of the protest movement.
Rural groups aligned with former President Evo Morales, including the powerful Tupac Katari federation, were not in the talks and say they will keep blockades and pressure on Paz to resign.
At least 14 people have died, according to the ombudsman, as the prolonged disruptions pushed up prices and blocked patients, truckers and hospitals from getting urgent care and supplies.