At first hour this Saturday --noon in Spain-- the deployment of military forces and Police in Bolivia has been launched, in application of the state of exception proclaimed by President Rodrigo Paz with the objective of putting an end to the road blockades promoted by the opposition.
The points with the greatest presence of personnel are the bridges that connect the city of Cochabamba with other regions of the country, a city considered a bastion of the movements that lead the protests.
In the seat of Government, La Paz, agents are concentrated in the Police command in El Alto and in the facilities of the Tactical Unit of Police Operations (UTOP), where heavy equipment has already been deployed to clear the roads.
At 07:00 hours on Saturday, about 40 road blockades remained active, just seven less than the previous day. Most are located in the departments of La Paz, with 18 blockade points, and Cochabamba, with 15. In Oruro, four blockades are counted and in Santa Cruz another two pickets, according to the traffic page of the Bolivian Road Administration (ABC).
Paz has declared the state of exception after the signing of an agreement with the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB), which has already announced the lifting of its blockades. However, the Túpac Katari Peasants' Federation and other organizations considered close to former president Evo Morales maintain pressure in the streets and the demand for Paz's resignation.
The indefinite general strike and road blockades began 51 days ago today and are currently sustained by peasants from La Paz and supporters of Morales, who demand Paz's resignation due to his conservative policies.