The social organizations linked to the former Bolivian president Evo Morales have opted to postpone until this Friday, October 16, the start of the march to La Paz, which was initially scheduled for this Tuesday, with the intention of completing the route and arriving at the seat of the Executive next Monday, October 19.
The head of the intercultural sector, Aquilardo Caricari, has stated to the Bolivian newspaper "La Razón" that the decision to postpone the mobilization responds to the need to better articulate the participation of a greater number of organizations. Thus, the coca-growing sectors plan to meet this Tuesday, while the intercultural groups from the department of Santa Cruz will hold meetings in the coming days to finalize preparations and expand support for the protest.
The march promoted by the sectors aligned with Morales aims to express their rejection of the economic adjustment measures driven by the government of Rodrigo Paz, especially the elimination of the subsidy for fuels and the consequent increase in the price of diesel. The Bolivian newspaper details that, in response to these demands, the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Energy, Marcelo Blanco, has rejected reviewing the price of diesel — initially set at 17.95 bolivianos (1.36 euros) per liter with periodic reviews — considering that it is part of the economic reactivation plan and the commitments made with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Given the possibility that the march could lead to roadblocks on the essential road network, the Bolivian Executive has ordered the preventive deployment of Armed Forces and Bolivian Police personnel in strategic locations across the national territory.
The president, Rodrigo Paz, lashed out over the weekend against these protests, accusing the sectors close to Morales of trying to recover "the old logic of shooting at us, throwing stones, and blockades," while claiming institutional dialogue as the only legitimate way to channel political and social differences.