Protests by peasant and indigenous unions linked to former president Evo Morales are increasing in Bolivia, with demands to release quarantine against the new coronavirus and set the date for the presidential election. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that roadblocks have been erected in Yapacani (east), K'ara K'ara (center), Eucalyptus (west), Copacabana (west) and Norte de Potosi (south- Where is). The demonstrations had started a week earlier in Cochabamba (center) and in the town of El Alto, close to the capital La Paz.
In all regions, the unions are asking for the relaxation of quarantine measures in favor of the resumption of professional activities. They also demand that the date of the presidential election be fixed at the latest until August 2 next. The miners' union leader, Orlando Gutierrez, an ally of former president Evo Morales, asked the Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) to announce polling day, failing which he threatened further protests.
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The TSE has not yet set a date and has declared that it will await the development of the pandemic in Bolivia. The country registers to date 4,088 cases of contamination with Covid-19 for 169 deaths, figures in clear growth.
Deputy Interior Minister Javier Isa accused ex-President Morales' Movement for Socialism (MAS) of orchestrating these protests. "They have no social claim, it is a pretext for the MAS to destabilize the country. It has been determined that all of these movements are funded by the MAS which is behind the protests, "he said.
Bolivia is headed by Jeanine Añez, a right-wing senator, who became interim president after the resignation and departure of the country from socialist president Evo Morales in November 2019. The MAS of Evo Morales, who lives in exile in Argentina, has '' a large majority in each of the two chambers of Parliament.