Bolivian civic group threatens national strike as census protests escalate

FILE PHOTO: Police block demonstrators during protests for and against the postponement of a population and housing census, in La Paz, Bolivia October 26, 2022. REUTERS/Claudia Morales/File Photo

LA PAZ (Reuters) - A leading civic group in Bolivia threatened to hold a national strike to pressure the government to carry out a census next year, a potential escalation of protests that have already brought the farm hub of Santa Cruz to a near standstill.

In recent weeks, protesters have set up road blockades in the city of Santa Cruz, the country's wealthiest, while another regional town this week saw clashes break out on the street, with fireworks thrown and police using tear gas.