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CHRONOLOGY-Unrest in gas-rich, politically riven Bolivia
15 Sep 2008 16:50:12 GMT
 Source: Reuters
Sept 15 (Reuters) - Bolivia is in a fresh cycle of violence as a political crisis pits leftist President Evo Morales against rightist opposition governors of resource-rich Bolivian provinces.

Following is a chronology of recent unrest in Bolivia:

January 2003 - At least 10 people are killed in clashes between security forces and farmers opposed to a U.S.-backed drive to eradicate illegal coca crops.

February 2003 - About 30 protesters and police are killed in riots in La Paz after Sanchez de Lozada tries to introduce a new income tax aimed at cutting the fiscal deficit and winning IMF aid.

October 2003 - President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada quits and flees to the United States after a six-day siege of the capital by Indians furious about a $5 billion plan to export natural gas via Chile. Dozens of protesters are killed by troops during the protests in what becomes known as "The Gas War."

June 2005 - President Carlos Mesa is forced to step down after poor Indians, miners and peasants besiege the capital and block roads nationwide for three weeks to demand the state take over of Bolivia's gas reserves and reform the constitution.

October 2006 - Eighteen people are killed and about 60 wounded as miners use dynamite in battle for control over tin mines.

January 2007 - In the central city of Cochabamba, two people are killed and dozens wounded in street battles between supporters of Morales and the provincial governor.

November 2007 - Four people are killed in violent protests against Morales' pro-indigenous, pro-poor reforms.

August 2008 - Morales wins a recall vote in a landslide, but right-wing pro-autonomy opposition governors also are endorsed, deepening political deadlock.

- Two people are killed in clashes between police and workers at Bolivia's Huanuni tin mine demanding higher pensions, in the run-up to the recall vote.

September 2008 - Between 16 and 30 people are killed in clashes between pro- and anti-Morales protesters. The president declares martial law in the sparsely populated northern province of Pando, accusing opposition leaders there of orchestrating killings of peasant farmers who support him

- Opposition protesters damage pipelines, disrupting Bolivian natural gas exports to Brazil and Argentina.

- Morales orders the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia to leave the country, accusing him of fanning anti-government protests. (Compiled by Simon Gardner; Editing by Doina Chiacu)


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Bolivian military personnel stand guard in their barracks in Cobija September 15, 2008. Bolivia's leftist president and rebel governors took steps on Monday to halt deadly political unrest, as South American ...


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Last updated:Mon Sep 15 16:52:38 2008