Bolivia: Student protest in El Alto March 14 /update 9

Event

Public University of El Alto (Universidad Pública de El Alto; UPEA) students and staff are expected to hold a protest in the city of El Alto on Thursday, March 14, to denounce the five-year sentence imposed on a police officer who killed one of the university student during a demonstration in May 2018. Protesters are expected to gather at 08:30 (local time) in front of the main entrance to UPEA's central building. Traffic disruptions and a noticeable police presence are likely in the vicinity of the demonstration and clashes between protesters and security forces are possible, notably in the event of roadblocks. Further such protests are possible in the near term.

Context

Protester are demanding a 30-years sentence in prison.

The protests by UPEA students, launched on May 23, intensified following the May 24 death of a student protestor killed during clashes with police on the UPEA campus. The student was killed during a demonstration calling for an increased budget for the university. The government has said it will not resume negotiations until protests are suspended.

It should be noted that the city, located just to the west of La Paz, is home to El Alto International (LPB), the country’s main airport.

Advice

Individuals in Bolivia are advised to monitor the situation, avoid the UPEA campus and all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, allow for extra time to reach their destinations (notably LPB), and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.