Sawt Falasteen - Bolivia policeman killed in clashes with Morales backers

Supporters of Morales, who led the Andean country from 2006 to 2019, began blocking key roads on June 2 over electoral authorities' refusal to allow him to run for a fourth term in August 17 elections.

The protests have since snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce's handling of a deep economic crisis, marked by severe shortages of hard currency and fuel.

On Wednesday, "shots were fired, one (officer) lost their life and another is gravely injured" in the town of Llallagua in the country's southwest, said Deputy Interior Minister Jhonny Aguilera.

At least 15 civilians and two police officers were injured in a violent confrontation in the same town the previous day between Morales backers blockading roads and residents who tried to force their way through.

The national roads authority counted 21 roadblocks across the country Wednesday, down from 29 the day before.

Morales, 65, has been barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking re-election but nevertheless attempted, in vain, to register as a candidate last month.

The government accuses him of trying to sabotage the election by calling for blockades to sow chaos.

The protesters' goal "is to encircle La Paz to force it into submission through hunger," President Arce said Wednesday as he announced a joint police and military operation to clear a major highway, with more to follow.

On Monday, the attorney general said Morales was under investigation for "terrorism" for allegedly inciting the protests.

- Holed up -

Bolivia's first Indigenous president has been holed up in his central stronghold of Chapare since October to avoid arrest on charges of trafficking a minor.

The charges relate to Morales's alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old with whom he is accused of fathering a child while in office. He denies the charges.

Peruvian media said there were also clashes Wednesday between police and Morales fans in Parotani, north of Llallagua.

Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous president and one of Latin America's longest-serving leaders, resigned under a cloud in 2019 after seeking to extend his 13-year grip on power.

Since then, the Constitutional Court has upheld Bolivia's two-term limit, which Morales previously managed to evade.

He retains a large following in the South American country, particularly among Indigenous communities.

W.Mansour--SF-PST