Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz says he will cut his own salary and those of cabinet ministers by 50% in an effort to address weeks of anti-government protests. Al Jazeera, France 24 and other reports describe the announcement as a gesture aimed at demonstrating the government’s commitment to the public and to help calm unrest that has disrupted daily life in La Paz. France 24 reports that despite the pledge, protesters refuse to lift blockades of the capital and continue clashing with police.
South China Morning Post and The Rio Times add detail that Paz frames the move as a national sacrifice and made the announcement on May 25. The Rio Times specifies that his monthly pay would fall from 24,978 bolivianos (about $3,617) to about 12,489 bolivianos (about $1,808).
Sources consistently link the protests to public anger over the cost of living and austerity measures adopted by Paz’s government, with demands from unions and protesters for his resignation continuing alongside renewed street tensions and roadblocks.
