Used car importers demonstration shuts down transport network in La Paz

On 13 January 2009 more than 5,000 used car importers from the provinces of Cochabama, Santa Cruz and El Alto took to the streets of La Paz, effectively shutting down public and private transit. The protesters are demanding that the Bolivian government allow into the country the approximately 13,000 Chilean vehicles already purchased before a recent ban on used cars was implemented. At approximately 1230 local time the demonstrators attempted to enter the Plaza Murillo, but police officers stopped them. The protesters then moved to adjacent streets and established a vigil, calling for an audience with government officials. There is no word on how long the vigil will last.