A civilian was killed by a gunfire during clashes between security forces and protesters on a major highway in western Bolivia, a forensic report confirmed on Sunday, marking the first fatality in 20 days of roadblocks and demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.

The victim was identified as Víctor Cruz Quispe. His body was transferred to the La Paz Clinical Hospital on Saturday night from the highlands near the town of Vilaque, where police and military officers had attempted to clear the trunk highway between La Paz and Oruro.

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The government had ordered the operation to reopen a “humanitarian corridor” for food, fuel, and medical supplies to reach La Paz and El Alto, which have been severely affected by shortages.

On Saturday night, just hours after the clashes, presidential spokesman José Luis Gálvez publicly stated that there were no fatalities, dismissing circulating reports as “fake news.” However, on Monday, Gálvez apologized and acknowledged the death. “Unfortunately, in the course of the hours, early in the morning (on Sunday), we learned of the death of a citizen,” he told reporters.

Gálvez also claimed that none of the military or police officers involved in the operation carried a firearm of any caliber, only tear gas for “dissuasive” use. Nevertheless, he promised a “correct investigation” and said that “whoever killed must pay, because the law is not meant to be broken and no one is above the law.”

The Catholic Church, the Ombudsman’s Office, and the Permanent Assembly for Human Rights of El Alto have called for an urgent, independent, and transparent inquiry into the events, particularly the injuries, the death, and potential human rights violations.

The protests and blockades, now in their third week, are led by peasant sectors, the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB), and supporters of former president Evo Morales. They are demanding the resignation of President Paz, who took office only six months ago.

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