Key facts
- Police attempted to clear roadblocks into La Paz, Bolivia, after nearly two weeks of protests.
- Protesters, many of them farmers, had blocked access to the city, causing food and fuel shortages.
- The protesters demanded the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
- Security forces deployed tear gas toward protesters positioned on a hillside.
- Despite the tension, protesters remained calmly within the tear gas.
A photograph taken by AP photographer Juan Karita captures a moment of surreal calm amidst escalating tensions in Bolivia. The image shows tear gas drifting across a mountainous road as police attempted to reopen access to the capital, La Paz, which had been blocked by protesters for nearly two weeks. The blockades, primarily by farmers, led to shortages of food and fuel and were part of a demand for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
Karita, who is based in La Paz and nearing his 20th anniversary with the AP, photographed the scene using a 70-200mm lens. He noted how the open, mountainous landscape caused the tear gas to dissipate quickly, contributing to a sense of stillness. Despite the confrontation, Karita observed that the protesters, instead of fleeing, stood calmly within the gas, creating a striking contradiction between the tense situation and their composed demeanor.
Although authorities were unable to fully clear the roadblocks during this operation, the event underscored the growing uncertainty and tension in Bolivia. The protesters repeatedly returned to reestablish the roadblocks after they were cleared, highlighting the persistent nature of their actions.