Santa Cruz, Clashes Erupt Between Police And Protesters

Clashes have erupted in Santa Cruz, between police and demonstrators demanding the release of Luis Fernando Camacho, the regional governor who was detained on Wednesday.

Protesters in a relatively wealthy farming region, attacked buildings, burned cars, and blocked highways as part of a 24-hour strike on Friday following the arrest of the regional governor, a right-wing opposition leader.

Camacho was detained on a charge of “terrorism” for his alleged involvement in the 2019 political unrest that saw then-President Evo Morales flee the country.

He was sentenced to four months of pre-trial detention late Thursday and was transferred to a maximum security prison early Friday morning.