AFP – Supporters of former Bolivian president Evo Morales, who have been blocking roads in the centre of the country for three weeks in a standoff with the government announced a 72-hour ‘humanitarian’ pause.
The protests began on October 14 after prosecutors charged Morales, who led the country from 2006 to 2019, with statutory rape over his alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl while in office.
Morales said the charges, which he denies, were brought by the government of his former-ally-turned-rival President Luis Arce to prevent him making a political comeback.
The blockades have dealt a blow to the Bolivian economy and caused the prices of food and fuel to rocket.
“We are going to pause… for humanitarian reasons,” General Secretary of Bolivia’s union of rural labourers Humberto Claros told Kawsachun Coca radio station, which is close to Morales.
