The Bolivian government and pro-autonomy department heads will meet Sept. 17 for peace talks, but the road to stability could be a long one.
The Bolivian government will host a meeting Sept. 17 with pro-autonomy department leaders, following an agreement Sept. 16 that established a baseline for beginning negotiations between the two sides. However, while the preliminary agreement was being signed, protesters announced that they will continue blockades on transit routes to Argentina and Paraguay, as well as blockades on the roads between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. Some of the protesters appear to be supporters of Bolivian President Evo Morales, and some appear to be pro-autonomy protesters acting in defiance of opposition leader statements saying the opposition regions will stand down in favor of peace talks with the government.