Bolivia will hold a national referendum on natural gas policy July 18, and demonstrations in the days leading up to the vote and after are likely. Last year, anger over government plans to export natural gas led to large-scale protests and road blockades in many parts of the country and prompted the downfall of the government. The altiplano region around La Paz is expected to be the focus of the protests. To avoid potentially violent encounters, roadblocks should be respected even if they appear to be unattended.
