Updated 8 November 2019
US Department of State and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel
Warnings: As of 8 November 2019, there are travel alerts for Bolivia.
The U.S. Department of State updated it’s status for Bolivia on 1 Nov 2019 to Level 2:
Exercise increased caution in Bolivia due to civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk.
Reconsider travel to:
Santa Cruz metropolitan area due to civil unrest.
Cochabamba metropolitan area due to civil unrest.
Country Summary: There are recurring demonstrations, strikes, roadblocks, and marches
in major cities in Bolivia. Demonstrations and marches are centered on city plazas and
major thoroughfares. Roadblocks and strikes cut off traffic on main avenues, highways
between cities, and airport access. There are reports of sporadic violence, and local
authorities have used crowd control measures to discourage protests.
Domestic and international flights may be delayed or cancelled, and road travel around and
between cities is regularly impeded due to demonstrations.
Situation:
Protests continue to rock Bolivia as Evo Morales’ claimed election win 20 October is being
called into question with claims that it was rigged.
Tuesday (11/5) in to Wednesday (11/6) – police fired tear gas as protesters attempted to march on the presidential palace in La Paz.
Wednesday, November 6 – a 20-year-old student died after clashes between pro- & anti-government demonstrations in Cochabamba. Brings total to three of those who have died since the election results were announced and over 100 injured.
Thursday, November 7 – Female mayor of Vinto, Patricia Arce, was dragged from her office and through the streets barefoot by protesters, her hair forcefully cut and paint dumped on her. Her office at municipal headquarters were set on fire. Arce is a member of Morales’ ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. The violence against her erupted after rumors that two of the opposition had been killed.
Opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho has been leading protests in Bolivia’s most populated city Santa Cruz. Reports that he’d arrived in La Paz this past Wednesday with demands that Morales resign.
Possible Effects:
Increased security presence
Disrupted modes of transportation
Increases in traffic, especially near protest sites
Roads blocked by protestors with little to no notice
Protests which have the possibility of turning violent
Mitigating Factors to Apply:
Avoid all protests, demonstrations, and large crowds, which have the possibility of turning violent
Allow extra time for travel
Monitor local and social media for updates
Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
If you are caught in a blockade:
Remain calm
Do not exit your vehicle
Call the authorities
Emergency Services (police, fire, and medical): 110
U.S. Embassy at +591 (2) 216-8000
Enroll in the Safe Traveler program (STEP) to receive warnings from the U.S. Embassy
DISCLAIMER and Hold Harmless
Disclaimer: LSDS gathers information from multiple sources and offers insight and perspective to travelers. Sources cannot be validated for accuracy in every instance. Travelers assume all risk associated with their travel and are responsible for the decisions associated with travel and for their own safety. Users of this reference document agree, to hold harmless LSDS (LLC) its employees and clients associated with any risk or injury incurred during travel.
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