Bolivia president calls for end of blockades, says costs exceed $1.7 billion

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LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivian President Luis Arce on Wednesday called for the end of costly highway blockades that have paralyzed parts of the South American country and fueled an increasingly volatile conflict with his main political rival.

The economic costs of the blockades over 17 days run into over $1.7 billion, Arce said in a message to the nation.

Arce also said 70 people, including 61 police officers, have been injured in the blockades, organized by supporters of former President Evo Morales.

"We demand the immediate lifting of all blockade points for the re-establishment of normalcy in our country," Arce said, adding that the government will implement the necessary measures to safeguard Bolivians if protesters do not follow that request.

Arce's conference is his latest attempt to curb the growing tensions in the country, as Morales supporters have blocked key highways and prevented the delivery of food and fuel, particularly in the center of the country, the Cochabamba tropics.

Coca growers, peasants and miners who make up many of the demonstrators have clashed with security forces trying to clear the obstacles from the roads.

Morales criticized Arce, an ally turned rival, for not seeking dialog to solve the protests and holding him responsible for violence.

"Only sincere dialog will solve the serious problems that the country is currently facing," Morales said on social media X after Arce's address, adding that the president had threatened the demonstrators.

Morales told Reuters on Monday that Arce's government was behind an alleged gun attack on his convoy, lashing out at what he called a "dark plot to destroy" him.

Arce's government denied the accusations it had led an attack on Morales, calling it "theater" and claiming the former leader's convoy had instead fired on special anti-narcotics police who were carrying out a patrol.

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