Inflation in Bolivia hit 14 percent year-over-year in April. Speaking in the southeastern city of Sucre, the president said he had decided “as part of his efforts and commitment to the country, to reduce his salary by 50 percent.” His monthly salary is currently set at around 24,000 bolivianos ($3,500), one of the lowest of any Latin American leader but about eight times that of the average Bolivian, according to 2024 statistics from the International Labor Organization. Despite the gesture, on Monday the police again
clashed with protesters after thousands of miners, farmers, factory workers and other groups marched through the city for the third time in a week. “What do we want? For him to resign! When? Now!” the demonstrators shouted as they marched down the mountain to central La Paz from the predominantly Indigenous neighbouring city of El Alto. The rioting began when the protesters attempted to break through police lines near parliament. The police responded with tear gas. Humanitarian corridor Paz’s previous attempts at outreach, including his
firing of an unpopular labor minister and promises to give trade unions and Indigenous groups more of a say in policy-making, failed to take the heat out of the protests. On Saturday, police attempting to clear a “humanitarian corridor” through roadblocks leading to La Paz clashed for hours with demonstrators armed with stones and sticks. On Monday, Paz, a trained economist from a political family, again appealed for dialogue with organisations representing the protesters while denouncing demonstrators who resorted to violence. His election last year
marked an end to two decades of socialism launched in the mid-2000s by Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous leader. Since coming to power, 58-year-old Paz has attempted to tackle the root cause of the economic crisis – a shortage of currency caused by generous fuel subsidies – but has failed to stabilise fuel supplies or end surging inflation. Morales, who made a failed comeback bid last year despite being wanted by police on charges of trafficking a minor, on Sunday called for Paz to hold new
elections within 90 days. (FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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