Bolivia: Protesters blocking highways in Santa Cruz Department March 13

Event

Protesters in Santa Cruz Department are blocking National Route 4 in Yapacani and National Route 7 in Mataral, Pampagrande, and Samaipata on March 13, cutting off transport between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra. The demonstrations are causing significant transport disruptions and have forced the suspension of inter-departmental bus transit in the area. Police will likely deploy to the protest areas; clashes cannot be ruled out, especially if authorities attempt to disperse protesters and reopen the highways forcibly.

Advice

Avoid all protests as a precaution. Consider alternate ground transport routes until the protests end. Do not attempt to drive through protester roadblocks; wait for police to dismantle them before proceeding. Heed the instructions of security personnel.