La Paz, Oct 13: Airlines have suspended all flights in and out of the Bolivian capital of La Paz due to clashes between government troops and protesters, airline sources here said. Bolivian carrier Lloyd Aereo Boliviana has suspended three flights to La Paz and Aerosur Airlines confirmed that it has postponed two La Paz-bound flights yesterday.
La Paz`s airport is situated in the region of El Alto where clashes have occurred between troops and protestors.
Flights are expected to resume today, according to the airport authorities.
Five people were shot dead yesterday after Bolivian troops fired on protesters near La Paz, as the government accused opposition leaders of using escalating violence as an excuse for a coup.
Rural protestors have called for the resignation of President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada over the controversial construction of a gas export pipeline to the Chilean coast.
Yesterday`s deaths increased to 16 people the number of people who have died in clashes in the last three weeks.
Bureau Report