Bolivia's government is facing a severe political crisis after more than five weeks of nationwide protests, with clashes in the eastern town of San Julián (in Santa Cruz department) leaving at least 20 to 26 people injured, including four police officers shot, when security forces attempted to clear one of roughly 100 roads blocked by demonstrators. The protests, which began in early May as a workers' strike and escalated into a full national stoppage, are demanding the resignation of centre-right President Rodrigo Paz, elected last October; a preliminary report by the public ombudsman's office confirmed at least ten deaths linked to the unrest, some caused by medical care being cut off due to the blockades. Bolivia's parliament is now preparing to pass a law authorising the army to forcibly clear the roads, pushing the country to the edge of a state of emergency, while former president Evo Morales (in office 2006–2019) — blamed by the government for instigating the unrest — denies having called the protests, describing them as a spontaneous indigenous uprising against neoliberal policies.