Authorities have accused violent groups of driving the unrest, with reports of armed clashes leaving police officers injured. Ongoing blockades have also disrupted food supplies, causing sharp price increases in La Paz and El Alto.

Bolivian truck driver Miguel Mamani said he had been stranded for ten days because of the ongoing unrest.

Mamani added that many drivers were facing shortages of food, water , medicine, and sanitary facilities while waiting at the border.

Bolivian trader Maciel Herrera also said she had been stranded for ten days and criticised those organising the protests.

“We want to work. We need to earn a living. Many people live day to day, and many families have been sleeping on the street with their children ,” she said.

The Departmental Chamber of Transport of La Paz said earlier this week that around 5,000 heavy trucks remained stranded on Bolivian roads because of protests and roadblocks that have continued for more than a week.

Demonstrators have blocked several key transport routes, including international corridors linking Bolivia with Peru and Chile, as part of growing protests demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. The demonstrations were triggered by opposition to the government’s economic reform measures.