Activists shut down airport

Activists in eastern Bolivia shut down a small airport and blocked highways on 5 September 2008 to protest a plan by President Evo Morales to redistribute wealth to the indigenous population. A small regional airport in Cobija, located near the northeastern border with Brazil, was reportedly shut down after protesters occupied the main runway. Reports indicate that protesters also blocked the main La Paz-Santa Cruz highway with hundreds of vehicles. Opposition groups in Bolivia's eastern provinces have sought greater autonomy from the federal government after Morales proposed several leftist changes to the national constitution. Additional reports indicate that in the southeastern region of Chaco, protesters have blocked fuel and food supply shipments. Morales is currently seeking approval from Parliament to hold a referendum on 7 December regarding the constitution