The Bolivian government this week faces renewed social unrest after a shoot-out at the weekend between security forces and rural activists left six people dead and about 20 injured. Peasant groups said on Monday they would avenge the deaths, as the interior ministry deployed extra troops and police to trouble spots in the high plains region around La Paz, the capital. The confrontation follows an incident on Saturday night when, according to official reports, a convoy of troops was ambushed by armed peasants as it escorted hundreds of mainly local tourists back to the capital from a pilgrimage to Sorata, a remote Andean village. About 40 foreigners were also among the group, which was rescued after being held up for several days at one of a series of roadblocks mounted by rural workers. The peasants later burned and looted buildings in a nearby village to protest against the military action. Although none of the foreigners was injured, embassies in La Paz on Monday were expected to issue special warnings to tourists to avoid the conflict areas. “The situation remains tense,” said an official from the US embassy. Full Story
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