Bolivia Declares Siege, Arrests Striking Unionists
LA PAZ, Bolivia — The government declared a state of siege early today and arrested dozens of labor leaders in response to a six-week teachers strike marked by violent street confrontations.
Elite police units raided the headquarters of the Bolivian Workers Confederation on Tuesday evening and arrested scores of labor leaders who were meeting to reject an agreement that would have ended the strike. The labor leaders were demanding pay increases to match inflation plus wide-ranging economic reforms.
Those arrested were taken to an air force base on the outskirts of La Paz, the capital. A local television station said they would be flown to a detention center in the Bolivian tropics.
Several reporters covering the meeting were beaten by police, according to television reports.
In recent weeks, protests by strikers and clashes with police have created a tense climate in downtown La Paz. Riot police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the demonstrations.
The 90-day state of siege prohibits public meetings of three or more people and sets a curfew.
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