Clashes rock Bolivia as interim leader aims to end power vacuum
LA PAZ, Bolivia - Renewed clashes rocked Bolivia's capital on Wednesday as the woman who claimed the presidency, a secondtier lawmaker thrust into the post because of a power vacuum, faced challenges to her leadership from supporters of the ousted Evo Morales.
A day after Senator Jeanine Anez assumed power, violent clashes broke out between rock-throwing Morales backers and police in riot gear, who fired volleys of tear gas to disperse the large crowd of protesters as fighter jets flew low overhead in a show of force.
Opposition was also building in Congress, where lawmakers loyal to Morales were mounting a challenge to Anez's legitimacy by trying to hold new sessions that would undermine her claim to the presidency. A little-known deputy senate speaker, she stepped in after all the other officials in line to act as interim president resigned following Morales' lead.
