Bolivia: Protest activity likely to continue in La Paz through at least Sept. 24 /update 1

Protest activity is likely to continue in La Paz through at least Sept. 24 following a week-long march by supporters of former President Evo Morales. The march started in Caracollo on Sept. 17 and arrived in downtown La Paz on Sept. 23, where supporters of Morales and President Luis Arce clashed. Morales announced the end of the demonstration but gave the government 24 hours to meet a series of demands, including replacing unspecified government ministers and providing a solution to fuel supply issues, among others. Morales supporters are likely to remain in La Paz through at least Sept. 24 and will probably engage in additional protest activity if they perceive that the government has failed to adequately address their demands.

If further protest activity materializes, heightened security and disruptions to transport and business will likely affect parts of La Paz, particularly near Cerveceria Boliviana Nacional, where Morales' rally arrived on Sept. 23, as well as near Plaza Murillo and government buildings. Additional clashes between supporters of Morales and Arce, as well as between activists and police, cannot be ruled out.