In the foothills of the Andes in Bolivia.
On Aug. 26, Bolivian miners lifted their roadblock where violent protests had taken place this week. This came a day after miners murdered Deputy Interior Minister Rodolfo Illanes. President Evo Morales called it a day of “deep pain” for the country.
Mr. Illanes, 56, was killed after being taken hostage by workers who had blocked a major highway in Panduro, around 100 miles from the capital, La Paz. Officials said he died of blows to the head.
The workers have been demanding more mining concessions with less stringent environmental rules.
President Morales, an ex-coca grower, nationalized Bolivia’s natural-resources sector after being elected in 2006.
At first, he was widely praised for pouring mineral and other commodities profits into welfare programs. But his government has been dogged by accusations of cronyism and authoritarianism in recent years and some labor unions have become angry with him as falling commodity prices have crimped spending.
To read the Reuters story on this, please hit his link.