This archive report was first published on 19 November 2019.
On November 19, 2019, a tense standoff between Bolivian military forces and supporters of ex-president Evo Morales in El Alto came to a head, resulting in the death of a 31-year-old man and widespread fuel shortages in nearby La Paz.
A convoy of around 50 fuel tankers was finally able to leave the Senkata plant in El Alto after police and military forces secured the route to neighboring La Paz, bringing an end to a blockade that had lasted for over a week.
The blockade, which was erected by Morales supporters to protest what they saw as a coup by interim President Jeanine Anez, had caused serious fuel shortages in La Paz, paralyzing public transport and sparking daily protests against the new government.
As many as five people were wounded in the clashes, according to local media reports.
Ex-president Morales condemned the death in a tweet from Mexico, where he had been granted political asylum after resigning.
"I denounce to the world that the de-facto government in the style of military dictatorships is again killing my brothers in El Alto, who are peacefully resisting the coup and are fighting in the defense of life and democracy," Morales tweeted.
