Bolivian protesters use official as shield

Amazonian groups force foreign minister to march with them against highway project imposed on their land.

Bolivia protest against highway

Amazonian indigenous groups in Bolivia have staged massive protests for more than a week against a government highway project imposed on their land.

In an unusual tactic recently used to avoid violent police attempts to crush the protests, demonstrators forced David Choquehuanca, the country’s foreign minister, to march against the project with them against his own will.

While the government says the road is being built for development purposes, the natives fear an invasion of settlers and are struggling to maintain their nature preserve.

Azhar Sukri reports.

Source: Al Jazeera