A convoy carrying a senior Bolivian government minister came under attack on Tuesday as security forces attempted to clear a major roadblock in the Cochabamba region. The incident, which left several police officers injured, has prompted an urgent security review by the British diplomatic mission in La Paz.
The minister, whose identity has not been officially confirmed, was travelling with an escort when the ambush occurred near the town of Sacaba. Witnesses reported hearing sustained gunfire and seeing explosions before the convoy retreated. Local media footage shows damaged vehicles and police scrambling for cover.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent confrontations that have erupted across Bolivia since the government imposed a state of emergency last week. The emergency measures were introduced after protests against fuel price hikes and living costs turned deadly. At least five civilians have been killed and dozens more wounded in clashes with security forces.
The British Foreign Office confirmed that its embassy in La Paz is reviewing security protocols for staff and British nationals in the country. “We are monitoring the situation closely and have advised our personnel to avoid non-essential travel in the affected regions,” a spokesperson said. The mission has also urged British nationals to register their presence and follow local advice.
The roadblock that sparked Tuesday’s ambush was one of dozens erected by demonstrators angry at the government’s decision to slash fuel subsidies, which has sent petrol and diesel prices soaring. For many Bolivians, the price hikes are the final straw in a cost-of-living crisis that has seen inflation run at over 10% this year.
“It’s getting impossible to survive,” said Maria Condori, a market vendor in El Alto, speaking by phone. “We have to choose between eating and travelling to work. The government doesn’t care.”
Trade unions, which hold significant power in Bolivia, have called for an indefinite general strike starting Thursday. Indigenous groups, who form the backbone of the protest movement, are demanding the resignation of President Luis Arce. Analysts warn that unless the government finds a way to restore subsidies or negotiate a settlement, the country could spiral into deeper chaos.
The British review is likely to examine whether the embassy should reduce presence or temporarily close. It follows a similar assessment by the US State Department, which issued a security alert for its citizens in Bolivia citing “the potential for violence and kidnapping.”
For the people of Cochabamba, the ambush is a grim reminder of how quickly a desperate situation can turn deadly. As one resident who gave only the name Carlos told me: “We want our voices heard, but not like this. Not with blood.”
