The tense political situation, increases the risk of outbreaks of violence and major transportation disruptions

On 5 August 2008 police officers clashed with groups of striking miners who had blocked the road that links La Paz with the city of Oruro. Reports indicate that at least two people were killed and many others were injured in the violence. The protest turned violent when miners attacked a fleet of vehicles, burned a public bus and tried to destroy a bridge with explosives. Miners at Huanuni, which is located approximately 160 mi/260 km south of La Paz, launched an indefinite strike on 31 July to back a drive by the Bolivian Workers' Confederation (COB) to increase pensions and lower the retirement age to 55. In a separate incident on the same day, anti-government protesters attempted to storm the main airport (SLTJ/TJA) in the Tarija region. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez had been due to meet Bolivian President Evo Morales in Tarija on 5 August for energy talks, but the meeting was canceled because of the demonstrations.