Rioters rattle Bolivia demanding gas nationalization

0 Comments | AFP, May, 2005

LA PAZ (AFP) — Exploding mine blasting caps rattled downtown La Paz as demonstrators massed outside the presidential palace and Congress demanding nationalization of Bolivia's huge gas reserves.

Heavily armed riot police supported by soldiers and armored vehicles stood behind metal fences guarding the buildings, as legislators trickled into Congress for a meeting after a 10-day recess.

Police fired tear gas to break up groups of protesters, who responded by setting off blasting caps and burning tires. Other protesters blocked main roads throughout the city of one million, including the highway to the nearby airport.

"Gas is Bolivian!" the demonstrators shouted, as police pushed back against crowds trying to enter the downtown area to join the protest....