Protests turn bloody
The week's news at a glance.
La Paz
Bolivian President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada declared martial law this week in El Alto, a suburb of La Paz, after riots erupted over a plan to export natural gas to the U.S. and Mexico. More than 40 people were killed, many in clashes with soldiers. The exports would generate $1.5 billion annually for Bolivia, South America’s poorest nation. Some object because the pipeline would end at a port in Chile, Bolivia’s neighbor and rival, while others say the gas should be used to power industry and create jobs at home. Politicians criticized the president for using force to quell the demonstrations, and protesters from unions and Indian peasant groups called for him to resign. Sanchez de Lozada has now put the pipeline project on hold, but said, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Continue reading for free
We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.
Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.
Sign up to our 10 Things You Need to Know Today newsletter
A free daily digest of the biggest news stories of the day - and the best features from our website
-
'Why had so many Covid inquiry witnesses called Matt Hancock a liar?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
The daily business briefing: December 1, 2023
Business Briefing Tesla starts Cybertruck deliveries, the Dow surges to end November at a 2023 high, and more
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Three-quarters of mosques in China have been altered or destroyed
Under the radar Chinese authorities step up Xi Jinping's "sinicization" policy by removing Islamic architecture
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Will North Korea take advantage of Israel-Hamas conflict?
Today's Big Question Pyongyang's ties with Russia are 'growing and dangerous' amid reports it sent weapons to Gaza
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Donald Trump under oath: did he score any legal points?
Talking Point Republican presidential frontrunner turns 'political street brawler' in civil fraud case testimony
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
How US sanctions relief could revitalise Venezuela
The Explainer Biden eases pressure on Maduro in exchange for 'free and fair elections' in poverty-stricken country
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Trump's gagging order: making a mockery of free speech?
Talking Point Former president is barred from attacking prosecutors or witnesses in criminal case
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published