North of Potosi Could See Roadblocks in Support of Morales Tomorrow: Farmers from Chayanta province in Potosí announced roadblocks this afternoon at the Ventilla Crossing, which divides the departments of Oruro and Potosí, along the Diagonal Jaime Mendoza highway. Florencio Paco, a leader from Chayanta in northern Potosí, told Radio Fides that these protests will commence by blocking this key route in support of Evo Morales’ march towards La Paz. If the roadblock proceeds tomorrow, it will disrupt traffic between northern Potosí, the city of Potosí, and Sucre.
La Paz-Desaguadero Highway Clear: The roadblocks on the La Paz-Desaguadero highway in San Andrés de Machaca have likely been lifted by Bolivian authorities and no longer appear on the latest Road Accessibility Map. This development means that the main highway connecting Bolivia with Peru is now clear.
La Paz-Copacabana Highway Status Unchanged: Despite efforts by heavy machinery to clear roadblocks at Rio Seco (Ruta Nacional 12) and the Patamanta toll (Huarina), protesters quickly reestablished the blockades. No new updates have been reported regarding the two roadblocks on the Copacabana Peninsula beyond the Tiquina crossing.
Morales’ March Faces Resistance in Vila Vila: On Tuesday afternoon, the pro-Evo Morales march successfully passed through Vila Vila (Oruro), despite opposition from groups supporting President Luis Arce. These groups attempted to block the march by setting off dynamite and firecrackers. The march had started earlier that day in Caracollo, heading toward La Paz under the leadership of former President Evo Morales.
In the morning, reports revealed that Arce supporters, including miners and public officials, had positioned themselves on the hills of Vila Vila to prevent the march from advancing.
By around 3:00 p.m., Congressman Gualberto Arispe, part of the pro-Morales march, stated that the group had advanced through Vila Vila, despite attacks involving explosives. Media outlets reported clashes between pro-Morales and pro-Arce groups, with the former using slingshots to hurl stones and the latter detonating dynamite.
Morales Supporters Overwhelm Arce Backers in Vila Vila: Pro-Morales leaders said that their supporters had climbed the hills to push back the pro-Arce groups, continuing their march through Vila Vila. Reports noted that neither Morales nor Andrónico Rodríguez were present in the tense area. In the end, the pro-Morales march, reportedly numbering around 20,000 participants, overpowered the roughly 2,000 Arce supporters.
