Expression
In February 2019, the presidential and vice presidential candidates, Carlos Mesa and Gustavo Pedraza, candidates of the Comunidad Ciudadana (CC) party, were prevented from entering the Universidad Autónoma de Frías in the city of Potosí by supporters of the government party Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS).
In another development, in February 2019, a crew from Los Tiempos media outlet was held for more than two hours after covering a story about the artist Sandra De Berduccy’s cultural activity. On their way back from the interview, the journalists encountered a group of people that started questioning why they were in the region. Finally, the journalists were released after being escorted out by the police.
#LTahora Vinto: Policía desbloquea la ruta al occidente en medio de enfrentamientos y gasificaciones.
— Los Tiempos (@LosTiemposBol) March 13, 2019
Fotos: Daniel James pic.twitter.com/2PWXaJEpoD
#Cochabamba Policía despeja bloqueo en la carretera a #Quillacollo y arresta a estudiantes: https://t.co/uWEE8Ut6ve pic.twitter.com/hyyEvSTGpO
— Los Tiempos (@LosTiemposBol) March 15, 2019
Peaceful Assembly
According to reports, on 13th March 2019, the police repressed residents of Vinto community using tear gas to disperse roadblocks set by the demonstrators. This is not the first time such repression has taken place. On 12th March 2019, thirteen residents were injured after tear gas was used during another demonstration. The demonstrators mobilised to demand the resignation of three members of the City Council that represent the ruling party in order to respect an agreement to share power among the different parties.
On 15th March 2019, according to reports, the police repressed a protest of a group of students of the Tecnológico de El Paso de Quillacollo, who for the second time blocked Blanco Galindo Avenue in the city of Cochabamba. The students were demanding that the local authorities disburse financial resources from their contributions. More than ten students were arrested at the event.