For the third consecutive day, the main highway linking Santa Cruz and Beni remains blocked due to 4 roadblocks set by the Federación de Productores Agropecuarios and various social organizations from the San Andrés municipality in the Marbán province. As a result, all bus departures from the Bimodal Terminal in Santa Cruz to the Beni department have been suspended.
Protesters Remain Steadfast: The protest, which began on Friday, May 17, has established blockades at four critical points: near the San Pablo Bridge, the Caimanes Bridge, the access to Carmen del Dorado, and, as of today, Casarabe. The demonstrators, who have yet to engage with government authorities, are demanding immediate attention to their demands.
It’s important to note that while the road accessibility map from the ABC only indicates three roadblocks in the region, regional news outlets report four roadblocks as of today at 12:30.
Key Demands of the Protesters: Among the main demands of the producers and social sectors of the San Andrés municipality are the construction of a fuel station, the regular supply of fuel, the implementation of a crusher, the implementation of social projects, and the creation of adequate facilities for the storage of rice and corn.
Travel Alert: The persistence of the blockade has caused significant inconvenience to travelers and has interrupted the flow of traffic and services in the region. Without any indication of a prompt dialogue between the protesters and the Government, the situation threatens to drag on.
