The protesters are opposed to Bolivia’s leftist government led by Evo Morales. They believe that Morales, first elected in 2005, has been in office for too long, despite winning reelection repeatedly by large margins.

Polls indicate that Evo Morales is likely to win yet another reelection in October, Morales is currently almost 20 points ahead of his nearest rival Carlos Mesa, candidate for the neoliberal ‘Citizens Community’ party which has been hit in recent days by splits and racism allegations.