Ruptly
"Bolivia's president, Rodrigo Paz, announced this Wednesday a reshuffle of his ministerial cabinet amid the growing wave of protests and road blockades demanding his resignation over the economic crisis and shortages of fuel and food in the country. From the historic Palacio Quemado, Paz said his government needs a greater response capacity in the face of the social crisis. "We are going to carry out a reorganization of the cabinet (...) it has to have a capacity to listen. The president cannot be everywhere (...) and that is why there are ministers, vice ministers, that is why there are implementing entities," Paz emphasized. This comes as protests and blockades continue in La Paz and El Alto, where demonstrators are demanding the head of state's resignation due to the economic crisis and shortages of fuel and food. The president also asked protest groups to allow the passage of humanitarian corridors to guarantee basic supplies in hospitals and public markets, and emphasized the economic impact that road blockades have on merchants and informal workers. "To ask those who are at the blockades that this humanitarian corridor is oxygen in hospitals, it is food in our cities (...) they do not deserve this punishment," the president said. The head of state also criticized the "disinformation" published on social media and within the opposition regarding alleged new taxes on the agricultural sector. He denied that his government intends to impose 5% levies on basic products or move forward with strategic privatizations. "That does not exist, but nevertheless it is used to spread disinformation and tell the population they are going to impose a 5% tax on you. (...) In Bolivia there will be no strategic privatizations or rate hikes," the president said. Finally, Paz lamented the three deaths recorded during the demonstrations against his government and reiterated that the doors to dialogue remain open for those who respect life and justice, although he issued a warning against those who, he said, generate violence during the protests. "There are three dead because of the blockades. They are not from the national government, they are blockades. And the government is extending diverse options in order to generate dialogue. Vandals and those who have debts with justice, sooner or later will have to face justice," Paz said. The conference was accompanied by a strong presence of military and police personnel guarding government buildings and diplomatic headquarters in the political center of La Paz, including Bolivia's Legislative Palace."
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