Sawt Falasteen - Bolivia policemen 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, two officers were killed in Llallagua, a mining town in Bolivia's southwest, and several injured -- one seriously, according to Minister of Government Roberto Rios.

The policemen "were vilely murdered by gunshots," he wrote on Facebook.

At least 15 civilians and two police officers were injured in a violent confrontation in the same town the previous day.

More officers were injured Wednesday at other roadblocks on the road connecting La Paz with Cochabamba, Morales' political stronghold.

Health Minister Maria Rene Castro said two police officers were injured in the locality of Parotani, one by "an explosive object."

Protest leader David Veizaga, an ally of Morales, claimed the military and police were under orders to use their firearms.

"Let the government of Luis Arce order the withdrawal of police and military units so as not to stain their hands with blood," he told Bolivian media.

- 'Submission through hunger' -

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.

Bolivia's first Indigenous president has been holed up in his central stronghold in the Cochabamba department 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.

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.

P.AbuBaker--SF-PST