Bolivia is facing mass protests as a deepening fuel crisis fuels frustration against President Luis Arce’s government. Indigenous groups and transport workers have taken to the streets, accusing authorities of corruption and mismanagement, further straining the economy.
The capital, La Paz, has become the epicenter of tensions, with indigenous activists and striking transport workers clashing with police near the presidential palace. The Red Ponchos, a prominent Aymara indigenous group, are leading the demonstrations, demanding immediate government action to address the fuel shortage, which is crippling Bolivia’s transport and agriculture sectors.
“Arce, where’s the money?” chanted one indigenous protester, expressing widespread frustration over the government’s handling of the crisis.
The Red Ponchos have accused President Arce of failing to uphold his promises to the people. Their leaders claim that government mismanagement has left communities without the fuel necessary for daily survival.
David Mamani, a leader of the Red Ponchos, voiced his frustration:
“We’re enclosing Murillo Square and the government palace so that they respond to our demands. This government has become a dictatorship, corrupt, inoperative, and rotten with betrayal.”
Another leader, Enrique Mamani, speaking in Aymara, added:
“Our president doesn’t know how to govern. He must go. We are starving because there’s no fuel. Our farming machinery has come to a halt.”
The fuel crisis has left thousands of transport workers stranded, unable to work. Public service drivers report losing their income due to long queues at gas stations.
Gonzalo Aruquipa, a public service driver, shared his ordeal:
“I queued in a gas station for two days. I lost my earnings, I can’t feed my family, and I can’t pay my bank debt. I am very angry.”
The impact extends beyond the transport sector. Bolivia’s agricultural industry is also suffering, with farmers unable to harvest crops due to fuel shortages. Experts warn of an impending food crisis if the situation is not resolved soon.
President Luis Arce has responded to the growing unrest by announcing that millions of liters of fuel had arrived from Chile and were being distributed. However, many citizens remain skeptical, as the shortages persist and Bolivia’s foreign currency reserves continue to dwindle.
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Madrid is bracing for possible flooding as the Manzanares River nears dangerous levels amid heavy rainfall from Storm Martinho. Emergency services are closely monitoring the situation, with parts of the city already experiencing flooding.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of proactive peacekeeping plans for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for readiness ahead of any potential deal between Russia and Ukraine during a visit to a nuclear submarine facility in Barrow, England, on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage released by Hamas in Gaza last month, greeted supporters outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City ahead of addressing the U.N. Security Council on March 19.
The White House has confirmed that the Department of Education will continue to manage student loans and Pell Grants, ensuring ongoing stability and support for millions of students relying on federal financial aid.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Madrid is bracing for possible flooding as the Manzanares River nears dangerous levels amid heavy rainfall from Storm Martinho. Emergency services are closely monitoring the situation, with parts of the city already experiencing flooding.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of proactive peacekeeping plans for Ukraine, emphasizing the need for readiness ahead of any potential deal between Russia and Ukraine during a visit to a nuclear submarine facility in Barrow, England, on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage released by Hamas in Gaza last month, greeted supporters outside the United Nations headquarters in New York City ahead of addressing the U.N. Security Council on March 19.
The White House has confirmed that the Department of Education will continue to manage student loans and Pell Grants, ensuring ongoing stability and support for millions of students relying on federal financial aid.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
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