Clashes in central Bolivian city kills two

January 16, 2007



Fighting broke out between rioters and civil defense groups in the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba on Thursday, January 11 leaving 2 dead and 240 injured.

Coca farmers backing the government of president Evo Morales attacked government buildings and set fire to part of the local government offices in Cochabamba.

The rioters were demanding the resignation of the state governor - a critic of president Morales who supported a move to give Bolivia's states greater autonomy.

Opposition political parties have demanded an investigation into allegations that president Morales' ally, senator Leonilda Zurita, delivered supplies to the demonstrators who have laid siege to the local government building.