Protesters, police clash in Bolivia after president signs law enabling a harsher crackdown

Protests in Bolivia intensified on Monday as demonstrators demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz clashed with police in Cochabamba, resulting in dozens of arrests.

The unrest, driven by anger over fuel subsidy cuts, inflation, and economic hardship, has led protesters to establish around 90 road blockades nationwide, causing shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies.

A recent ombudsman report said the five-week crisis has resulted in 10 deaths, 37 injuries, and 365 arrests.

Paz signed legislation that could make it easier to impose a state of emergency, though he has not yet taken that step and continues to call for dialogue, the AP has reported.

Meanwhile, violent confrontations and disruptions continued in several cities as protesters rejected negotiations and maintained demands for the president’s resignation.