Protests intensify in Bolivia over gasoline prices

[Zorro]

Source: AP

Protests against a sharp increase in fuel prices intensified and turned violent in Bolivia on Thursday, as thousands of demonstrators demanded President Evo Morales' government repeal the hike.

Demonstrators filled the streets in La Paz and other cities to protest the higher prices, which were announced suddenly on Sunday. Gasoline prices immediately soared by 73 percent and diesel prices went up by 83 percent, leading to a rapid increases in transport and food prices in the Andean country.

Some demanded the resignation of Morales, a close ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. It has been the most unpopular measure of Morales' five-year presidency.

Taxi drivers held a strike that largely paralyzed La Paz on Thursday, and protests were also held in the cities of Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Potosi and Oruro.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101231/ap_on_bi_ge/lt_bolivia_gasoline

[Renew Deal]

1. Did they really do this all at once on Sunday with no notice?

If that's true, then people are right to be upset. That's craziness. I wonder how much the oil industry has to do with this.

[Ken Burch]

2. self-delete.

Need more information.

[marmar]

3. selfdelete also

nt