Washington .- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio promised this Thursday during a phone call to the President of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, that his country will provide him with greater assistance in the face of food and medicine shortages caused by road blockades from anti-government protests.
“The Secretary noted that the United States will intensify emergency assistance and logistical support to Bolivia to help those facing severe shortages of food and medicine due to illegal road blockades intended to destabilize Bolivian society,” the State Department stated in a press release.
Rubio called the president to «reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to supporting Bolivian democracy and the Government of Peace in rebuilding the country after 20 years of failed socialist policies».
In addition, they analyzed the “current situation in Bolivia and shared priorities to promote security and stability throughout the region,” the statement highlights.
We recommend reading: United States imposes financial sanctions on the president of Cuba and a son of Raúl Castro
The road blockades that have been taking place since May 6 are encouraged by the Tupac Katari Peasant Federation of La Paz, the Bolivian Workers’ Center (COB), and followers of former president Evo Morales (2006-2019), who are demanding the resignation of Paz, who took office almost seven months ago.
More Read
At least ten people have died during the conflicts, seven of them due to a lack of timely medical attention caused by road blockades and another three in the context of the protests, including a demonstrator who was shot during an unblocking operation, according to data cited by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Ombudsman’s Office.
