La Paz - Protesters in Bolivia abandoned one roadblock in the Chapare region after the parliament agreed to establish a municipal jurisdiction in the region. The roadblock was backed by coca leaf growers who are protesting against government anti-narcotics policies and a proposal to build three military bases in the area.
Despite the agreement, other roadblocks continue and troops were dispatched to dismantle them. "We have exhausted all requests for dialogue," Interior Minister Guillermo Fortun said. His threat of military intervention angered the main representative of the coca leaf growers, who warned the situation could spiral out of control.
"This will only result in confrontation," Evo Morales said. "It's like an invitation to violence, it's fatal."