La Paz, Sep 29 (IANS/EFE) Bolivian Interior Minister Sancha Llorenti became the latest top official to resign in the wake of last weekend’s brutal repression of an indigenous protest against a jungle highway.
The crackdown on marchers opposed to the construction of the highway through a 600-square-mile indigenous reserve touched off nationwide protests and has led to one of the biggest crisis of President Evo Morales’ five-and-a-half-year tenure.
Other officials who stepped down in the aftermath of the weekend action included Llorenti’s deputy, Defense Minister Cecilia Chacon and several ruling party lawmakers.
Llorenti resigned Tuesday and was immediately replaced by Wilfredo Chavez, a close Morales ally who until now had served as deputy government coordination minister.
