Clashes over highway continue in Bolivia
Protesters angry over plans to build a highway through indigenous land clashed with police in La Paz.
Hundreds of Bolivian protesters have clashed with police in the capital La Paz, angry over plans to build a highway through protected indigenous land.
Demonstrators marched some 600 kilometres on foot to the capital city, a journey that took two months. They came from Bolivia’s eastern Amazonian lowlands to protest the proposed $420m project.
“We want to show that there’s been a decision by the marchers to stay here in the seat of government, to show that there’s still an option of talks here if this problem isn’t fixed,” said Adolfo Chavez, one of the protesters.
Organisers say there could be more violence if the government doesn’t back down from the project. Barbara Benitez reports.