Five Police Officers and One Civilian Killed as Luis Arce Orders Clearance of Morales Supporters’ Roadblocks in Bolivia

In Bolivia, violent clashes have erupted between security forces and supporters of former President Evo Morales amid protests demanding his reinstatement as a presidential candidate for the August elections. Morales' followers have blocked key highways for over ten days, prompting President Luis Arce to order police and military operations to clear the roadblocks, including a major route connecting Cochabamba with western Bolivia. The confrontations have resulted in the deaths of five police officers and one civilian, with reports indicating that one police officer was taken hostage and killed with explosives. The government has accused drug trafficking elements of infiltrating the protests. The unrest has caused significant disruptions to transportation and daily life. President Arce has reaffirmed his commitment to continue joint operations to unblock affected regions. In the wake of the crisis, Bolivia's Justice Minister César Siles Bazán resigned. The government has condemned the violence and vowed no impunity for those responsible. Meanwhile, opposition figures have called for the arrest of Morales to end the blockades.