Bolivia deployed around 3,500 soldiers and police in an early-morning operation on Saturday to clear roadblocks set up by antigovernment protesters outside La Paz (the seat of Bolivia's government), resulting in at least 57 arrests. The protests, organised by miners, teachers, Indigenous groups and unions over 11 days, reflect widespread anger at centre-right President Rodrigo Paz over his decision to end a long-standing fuel subsidy and push for privatisation of state enterprises, amid what the government describes as the country's worst economic crisis in decades. Officials said the crackdown was aimed at establishing a humanitarian corridor to restore the flow of food and medical supplies to the capital, claiming three people had died after being unable to reach hospitals since the blockades began.