Residents of Sipe Sipe started a roadblock on the Cochabamba-Oruro highway (Ruta Nacional 4), 22.8 Km to the west of Cochabamba on Monday, demanding the construction of a wastewater treatment plant.
Police Contingent Arrives Early: Initial reports indicated no blockade during the early morning hours, with a police presence deployed to deter such action.
By 8:30 AM, residents began gathering near the highway. Police attempted negotiations to keep the vital route open.
Despite police efforts, a large group of people successfully blocked the road after 10:00 AM using tires, stones, and other objects.
Broken Promises Fuel Protests: Residents accuse the government of failing to deliver on its promise to build the wastewater treatment plant. They claim the project, which was supposed to begin in January, remains uncompleted.
Buses Using Alternate Routes: The Road Accessibility Map from the ABC shows that there are alternate routes, and police personnel at the La Paz Bus Station confirms that there are no restrictions on departures to the eastern part of the country.
Update – 12:15
The Police is clearing the roadblock at Sipe Sipe.