1 Hurt in Bolivia protest against higher fuel prices

El Alto, Agency
One person was hurt here Wednesday during a protest against Bolivian President Evo Morales' decision to end subsidies for gasoline, diesel and other fuels.

El Alto's Federation of Neighborhood Boards, known as Fejuve, convened an assembly to decide on tactics to be used in opposing the sharp hikes in fuel prices, but instead of talking, activists mounted a march and a blockade of the main road to nearby La Paz.

Around 1,000 El Alto residents gathered at a tollbooth on the highway decided to block the road with rocks and tires to back their demand that Morales announce a reversal of the prices increases in a nationwide address planned for Wednesday night.

Conflict erupted when two members of president's leftist MAS party tried to persuade the crowd to end the roadblock.

Some Fejuve activists hurled garbage and rocks at the MAS members, one of whom responded by tossing a stone that hit one of the protesters in the head, enraging the crowd.

But the MAS members managed to get away while police tended the injured protester.

Grassroots and labor groups in this shabby industrial city near the capital played a decisive role in forcing the October 2003 resignation of then-President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada after security forces killed dozens of protesters.

Even before the fuel price increases, Fejuve had begun to distance itself from Morales, complaining that his administration was neglecting the needs of El Alto.

The end of subsidies sent the prices of liquid fuels soaring by between 52 percent and 87 percent and prompted bus drivers to double fares for passengers, even though the government authorized a fare hike of only 30 percent.

Higher transportation costs have already resulted in higher prices for food.

Unions and community organizations are planning protests in Bolivia's major cities.

The government said it raised fuel prices in response to rampant smuggling of cheap Bolivian gasoline and diesel into neighboring countries where prices are higher.

In his speech Wednesday night, Morales is expected to explain the reason for the new policy and announce measures aimed at softening the effects of the price rises.