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| At least two dead in blast at Bolivia military barracks | ||
| 2026-09-06 | ||
| [BBC] At least two people have been killed after an explosion at a military barracks in Bolivia - but authorities fear the toll could be higher. Bolivian Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano said at least 81 people had been injured when "pyrotechnic material" detonated at the barracks, where an artillery regiment was stationed, about 14:30 local time (18:30 GMT) on Friday. Fourteen others remain missing. Health official Rita Nebraska told local television between 10 and 15 people were believed to have died in the incident in Viacha, about 30km (19 miles) from La Paz, according to Reuters. Police said dozens of homes had been damaged by the blast and that emergency workers were searching the rubble. Nebraska said there was a risk of a further explosion and urged people to stay at least 150m from the military base. Base commander Colonel Antonio Amaru told reporters on Saturday that a sergeant and 13 conscripted soldiers aged between 18 and 19-years-old were among the missing.
20 June 2026 [BBC] Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz
The move would give Paz broader powers to clear road blocks by demonstrators, which have caused serious shortages of basic goods and paralysed large parts of the nation. In a statement, the president said the state of emergency would "free the country's roads" and "restore" normalcy. Under law, Bolivia's Congress must approve or reject the measure within 72 hours of the declaration. The blockades, led by miners, farmers and indigenous groups, are part of protests which started at the end of April. Several people have died and hundreds have been arrested during the unrest. Protest groups are calling for fuel subsidies to be reinstated and a rollback of austerity measures, as well as demanding Paz's resignation. The president has said the crisis is an organised attempt to destabilise the country. "Bolivians cannot continue to be hostages of blockades that prevent working, studying, receiving medical attention, supplying themselves, and bringing sustenance to their homes," he said in a social media post on Saturday. Paz's announcement came hours after he unveiled that a deal had been struck with the country's main union, the Bolivian Workers' Confederation. However, some Indigenous groups have said they will continue to protest, AFP reported, with roadblocks remaining in place. Journalists reported seeing police and military personnel in main squares on Saturday. Bolivian president warns country at 'breaking point' after month of protests 28 May 2026 [BBC] Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz has warned the country is "at breaking point" after a month of anti-government protests that have led to seven deaths and hundreds of arrests. Demonstrators led by unions and indigenous groups have set up roadblocks across Bolivia causing serious shortages of basic goods and paralysing large parts of the nation. Groups are calling for fuel subsidies to be reinstated and a rollback of austerity measures, as well as the resignation of Paz. But the US-backed leader, who took office six months ago during an economic crisis, said anyone "wanting to destroy the nation" would have to deal with him and the full force of the constitution. Paz has been battling growing fury over his centre-right policies, with the protests originally triggered at the end of April by a land reform he proposed. Related: Rodrigo Paz 08/30/2026 Why Did Israel Declare 2026 'The Year of Latin America'? Rodrigo Paz 02/20/2026 Paraguay's Santiago Peña Confirms Participation in Trump's ‘Shield of the Americas' Summit Rodrigo Paz 02/13/2026 Reports: Trump to Host Anti-China Summit with Latin American Leaders Related: Bolivia: 2026-08-30 Why Did Israel Declare 2026 'The Year of Latin America'? Bolivia: 2026-07-05 Names and Titles of Attendees at the Ayatollah's Funeral - Can't tell the players without a scorecard Bolivia: 2026-03-01 At least 20 killed after military plane carrying banknotes crashes in Bolivia | ||
| Posted by:Skidmark |