U.N. warns Bolivia crisis could ‘spin out of control’ as death toll mounts

LA PAZ (Reuters) - The United Nations warned yesterday that violence in Bolivia could “spin out of control” following recent skirmishes between security forces and coca farmers loyal to ousted President Evo Morales that have left nine dead.

Morales resigned under pressure from Bolivia’s police and military last week Sunday after evidence of vote rigging tainted his Oct. 20 election victory. He fled to Mexico two days after his resignation.

The leftist and charismatic former coca farmer has since called his ouster a right-wing “coup” and decried growing allegations of repression by security forces under interim President and former conservative lawmaker Jeanine Anez. “The coup leaders massacre indigenous and humble people for asking for democracy,” Morales said on Twitter following reports of mounting deaths.

Anez has blamed Morales for stoking violence from abroad, and has said her government wishes to hold elections and meet with the opposition to halt protests.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warned escalating violence could usurp the democratic process.

“I am concerned that the situation in Bolivia could spin out of control if the authorities do not handle it ... with full respect for human rights,” Bachelet said in a statement.

The violence in Bolivia adds to growing unrest in the region, including in neighbour Chile, where protests over social inequalities boiled over into riots that left at least 20 dead. Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina have also seen widespread strikes, protests and riots in recent

Riot police officers are seen in Sacaba, on the outskirts of Cochabamba, Bolivia, on Friday. (REUTERS/Danilo Balderrama)

months.

Cochabamba ombudsman Nelson Cox said hospital records in the coca farming region showed the “vast majority” of Friday´s deaths and injuries were caused by bullet wounds.

“We are working with the national ombudsman´s office to conduct autopsies ... and seek justice for these victims,” Cox told Reuters.

More than 100 people were injured in the skirmishes, the ombudsman said.

Coca farmers in some protests were also heavily-armed, police said, carrying weapons ranging from handguns and boxes of grenades to home-made bazookas made from sawed-off pipes in sometimes fierce stand-offs.

U.N. envoy Jean Arnault said a team would hold meetings with politicians and social groups beginning

today to end the violence and push for “free and transparent elections.”

ELECTION TALK

Though the capital La Paz was largely calm yesterday, lingering highway blockades prompted panic on the streets, with many rushing to hoard groceries as supplies ran low and prices rose.

Increasing unrest and a spiraling body count prompted Morales to strike a more conciliatory tone with the government of Anez in recent days.

“For the sake of democracy ... I have no problem not taking part in new elections,” Morales told Reuters in an interview in Mexico City.

Morales’ party, now the opposition, has asked for a session of both chambers of Bolivia’s legislature this Tuesday to hash out plans for the new election.

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela’s opposition staged nationwide protests against President Nicolas Maduro yesterday and called for a new wave of demonstrations to revive their stalled effort to topple the deeply unpopular ruling Socialist Party.

Protesters waved Venezuela’s red, yellow and blue flag in a show of support for opposition leader Juan Guaido, who in January galvanised the opposition by assuming an interim presidency after declaring Maduro’s 2018 re-election a fraud.

But yesterday’s rallies were significantly smaller than those earlier in the year and the participants seemed less optimistic about change - a sign of frustration that Maduro remains in power despite an economic crisis and aggressive U.S. sanctions.

“They thought they were going to put the Venezuelan people to sleep, they thought they had instilled fear into our hearts,” Guaido told the crowd in eastern Caracas. “Today, Venezuela is claiming victory in the streets.”

The opposition will stage frequent demonstrations in the coming days to boost pressure on Maduro, he said, starting with a broad protest tomorrow followed by sector-based protests by students and nurses later in the week. Crowds cheered his speech, but dispersed quickly afterwards. Protesters did not clash with security forces in the wake of the rally, as has been typical in recent years. “I know there’s a small chance Guaido will get Maduro out,” said Rosmely Guerra, 49, a sociology professor. “But even if there’s just a 1% chance, I’m going to throw 99% of my faith behind it. What other option do we have?”

The country’s hyperinflation, along with deterioration of electricity, water and transportation services, has left many exhausted from simply getting through their day.

And change in Venezuela will also hinge on a shift in allegiance of the armed forces, which remain loyal to Maduro.

That contrasts starkly with the situation in Bolivia, where the military called on President Evo Morales to resign following violent street protests over accusations he rigged his October re-election.

The Socialist Party held a rally in downtown Caracas in support of Morales.

“We’re here because we want to make it clear that if someone meddles with our country, it won’t be the same as in Bolivia,” said Aida Romero, 66, who works in a government food programme.