LA PAZ: Bolivian Justice Minister Cesar Siles accused ex-president Evo Morales of “terrorism” on Thursday for allegedly ordering his supporters to cut off supplies to La Paz after he was banned from contesting August elections.
Siles said the government had filed a complaint against Morales for “terrorism, public incitement to crime and attacks on the security of public services,” among other crimes, over the campaign of road blockades that has paralyzed central Bolivia since Monday.
Supporters of the former president – who served from 2006 to 2019 – began blocking roads leading to La Paz, the seat of government, over the electoral authorities’ refusal to allow Morales to run for a fourth term in August 17 elections.
The protests have since snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce’s handling of a deep economic crisis, marked by severe shortages of hard currency and fuel.
Many of the protesters have called on Arce, an ally-turned-foe of Morales, to resign.
A leaked audio message on Thursday appeared to capture Morales calling on his supporters in the country’s agricultural heartland to shut down two key roads leading to La Paz.
The government reported more than 40 blockades nationwide on Thursday, which the minister of economy said were causing daily losses of $100 to $150 million.
Around 30 police officers have been injured in clashes with protesters since the beginning of the week, according to Gabriela Alcon, deputy minister of communication.
Morales, 65, was barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking re-election but attempted in vain to register as a candidate last month.
He faced a similar situation in November 2019 when the government of right-wing president Jeanine Anez accused him of “sedition and terrorism.”
Morales had allegedly called on supporters to maintain blockades which caused food and fuel shortages in La Paz.
Morales is also wanted on charges of human trafficking over his alleged sexual relationship with a minor while in office.
He has firmly rejected the charges as a case of “judicial persecution.”
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Bolivia justice minister accuses Morales of ‘terrorism’ over road blockades
Bolivia justice minister accuses Morales of ‘terrorism’ over road blockades
- Supporters of the former president have began blocking roads leading to La Paz, the seat of government
- Protests have snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce’s handling of a deep economic crisis
Trump, Putin talk of war and peace as US weighs easing Russian oil sanctions
MOSCOW: US President Donald Trump and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed on Monday the war in Iran and prospects for peace in Ukraine, just hours after the Kremlin chief warned that a global energy crisis threatened the world economy.
The US and Israeli attack on Iran triggered the biggest spike in oil prices since the turmoil following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as Gulf producers reduce output after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Kremlin said Trump called Putin, in the leaders’ first telephone call this year, and they discussed Russian ideas for a speedy end to the conflict in Iran, the military situation in Ukraine and the impact of Venezuela on the global oil market.
“I had a very good call with President Putin,” Trump told a press conference at his Florida golf club, adding that Putin wanted to be helpful on Iran.
“I said, ‘You could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine-Russia war over with. That will be more helpful.’“
The call came within hours of Putin’s remarks that the US-Israeli war on Iran had triggered a global energy crisis, while cautioning that oil production dependent on transport through the Strait of Hormuz could soon come to a halt.
Putin said Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter and holder of its biggest natural gas reserves, was ready to work again with European customers if they wanted to return to long-term cooperation.
US SANCTIONS
Amid the turmoil on global energy markets, Trump’s administration is considering reducing oil sanctions on Russia, with an announcement possible as soon as Monday, according to three sources familiar with the planning.
The move would be intended to boost world supplies of oil following massive disruptions to Middle East shipments from the expanding conflict, but could also complicate US efforts to deprive Russia of revenue for its war in Ukraine.
Talks could cover broad sanctions relief as well as more targeted options for certain countries, such as India, to buy Russian oil without fear of US penalties, including tariffs, the sources told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Last week, the United States allowed India to temporarily buy Russian crude oil already on tankers at sea, to help it cope with the cuts to Middle East supply.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the discussion with Trump was “very substantial” and “likely to have practical significance for further work between the two countries.”
Ushakov said Trump believed it was in the US interest to see a “rapid end to the conflict in Ukraine with a ceasefire and a long-term settlement.”
The advance of Russian troops in Ukraine should prompt Kyiv to seek a negotiated end to the conflict, he added.
The US and Israeli attack on Iran triggered the biggest spike in oil prices since the turmoil following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, as Gulf producers reduce output after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Kremlin said Trump called Putin, in the leaders’ first telephone call this year, and they discussed Russian ideas for a speedy end to the conflict in Iran, the military situation in Ukraine and the impact of Venezuela on the global oil market.
“I had a very good call with President Putin,” Trump told a press conference at his Florida golf club, adding that Putin wanted to be helpful on Iran.
“I said, ‘You could be more helpful by getting the Ukraine-Russia war over with. That will be more helpful.’“
The call came within hours of Putin’s remarks that the US-Israeli war on Iran had triggered a global energy crisis, while cautioning that oil production dependent on transport through the Strait of Hormuz could soon come to a halt.
Putin said Russia, the world’s second-largest oil exporter and holder of its biggest natural gas reserves, was ready to work again with European customers if they wanted to return to long-term cooperation.
US SANCTIONS
Amid the turmoil on global energy markets, Trump’s administration is considering reducing oil sanctions on Russia, with an announcement possible as soon as Monday, according to three sources familiar with the planning.
The move would be intended to boost world supplies of oil following massive disruptions to Middle East shipments from the expanding conflict, but could also complicate US efforts to deprive Russia of revenue for its war in Ukraine.
Talks could cover broad sanctions relief as well as more targeted options for certain countries, such as India, to buy Russian oil without fear of US penalties, including tariffs, the sources told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Last week, the United States allowed India to temporarily buy Russian crude oil already on tankers at sea, to help it cope with the cuts to Middle East supply.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the discussion with Trump was “very substantial” and “likely to have practical significance for further work between the two countries.”
Ushakov said Trump believed it was in the US interest to see a “rapid end to the conflict in Ukraine with a ceasefire and a long-term settlement.”
The advance of Russian troops in Ukraine should prompt Kyiv to seek a negotiated end to the conflict, he added.
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