Bolivia's Roads in Turmoil: Arce vs. Morales

Bolivian President Luis Arce urged an end to highway blockades crippling the nation. The blockades, organized by ex-President Evo Morales' supporters, have cost $1.7 billion and injured 70 people. Arce's call for normalcy highlights tensions with Morales, who accused Arce of avoiding dialogue. Arce's government denied involvement in alleged attacks on Morales.

Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday demanded an end to highway blockades that have severely disrupted the nation, emphasizing the need for a return to normalcy in a country mired in escalating conflict with his political adversary, former President Evo Morales.

President Arce reported that these blockades have racked up economic damages surpassing $1.7 billion over 17 days, with 70 individuals, including 61 police officers, injured in related confrontations. The blockades were organized by Morales' supporters, who include coca growers, peasants, and miners clashing with security forces.

While Morales criticized Arce for eschewing dialogue and fostering violence, Arce's government dismissed Morales' allegations of orchestrating an attack on his convoy, labeling it as theatrical and alleging that Morales' convoy had fired upon anti-narcotics police.

(With inputs from agencies.)