Massive demonstrations announced in Bolivia

The chairman of the Santa Cruz Civic Committee, Rómulo Calvo, announced that the “civics” have decided to lift the road blockade in the area.

At the same time, the citizens’ committee has called for a mass meeting on January 25 in at least nine Bolivian cities.

“We call for a grand national assembly to be held simultaneously and in a coordinated manner in all capitals of the nine departments of Bolivia on January 25, 2023,” said a document signed by the committee.

In this sense, the mass demonstrations demand “the restoration of the rule of law, the restoration of our democracy, the release of all political prisoners and a radical change in the corrupt judicial system”.

Bolivia has seen repeated roadblocks and demonstrations in recent weeks after Santa Cruz Governor Luis Fernando Camacho was arrested and jailed for his role in the violent 2019 demonstrations that ended with then-President Evo Morales leaving the country was plugged.

Camacho is the governor of Bolivia’s wealthiest region and has always been an opponent of the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) governments, which have been the scene of fresh protests and blockades over the past month, this time against the census law.