Bolivia: Thousands protest nationwide May 28

Event

Demonstrations broke out across Bolivia on Monday, May 28, after a student was killed during a protest at the public university in El Alto last week. Thousands of people participated in the rallies, with some protesters clashing with police in Cochabamba. Government officials have called for talks with the administrators of the country’s public universities to resolve the conflict. Related protests are possible in the coming days, including in El Alto, La Paz, and Cochabamba.

Context

The student was killed on May 24 during a demonstration calling for an increased budget for El Alto public university. According to the government, the victim died after being hit by shrapnel from a large firecracker set off by the protesters. University authorities, however, claim that he was killed by the police.

President Evo Morales has recently been under intense pressure following a weeks-long protest campaign by unions and civil society groups in Chuquisaca department. The groups organized demonstrations and roadblocks in Sucre between April 29 and May 12 in defense of the development of the Incahuasi gas field and to demand that royalties on gas revenue be paid to the Chuquisaca department.

Advice

Individuals in Bolivia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all related demonstrations and gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.