2,300 soldiers deployed 17 March in La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, to stop common crime following protests over murder of 2 journalists, demands for reinstatement of death penalty. Morales 18 March threatened to close U.S. embassy over alleged interference in country’s domestic affairs. Indigenous communities mid-March announced plans for ninth march April 20 to protest controversial highway construction through TIPNIS national park, pledged to resist govt-sponsored consultation process scheduled 10 May-10 June.

Conflict over controversial highway construction through TIPNIS National Park intensified early Feb as ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) renewed campaign to determine project’s fate. Following allegations by opposition that President Morales uses politically subservient judges to remove elected opponents, UN 7 Feb called for transparency and due process; Morales 8 Feb responded that MAS does not engage in political persecution of opposition.

President Morales 23 Jan named 9 new ministers; 3 Jan appointed 56 judges, elected in Oct 2011 national ballot, to form country’s 4 highest courts. 4 killed 11 Jan in clashes between police and Yapacaní residents demanding mayor’s resignation. Protest march by supporters of highway construction, cancelled last Oct following widespread protest, through TIPNIS national park indigenous territory reached La Paz 30 Jan, clashed with police.

Following Sept-Oct indigenous protest, govt 4 Dec approved law prohibiting highway construction through indigenous territory in TIPNIS national park; coca growers and some indigenous groups organised pro-highway demonstrations 9, 17 Dec. Ernesto Suarez Sattori, opposition Governor of Beni, suspended 16 Dec on charges of corruption; Santa Cruz Governor denounced “systematic annihilation” of opposition.

After 3 years of frozen diplomatic relations, Bolivia and U.S. 7 Nov agreed on framework document setting out principles for future relations; does not specify time frame for return of ambassadors; President Morales ruled out return of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Following late Sept violent police crackdown on indigenous protest against highway construction through indigenous territory and national park, groups resumed protest march 1 Oct, 19 Oct reached La Paz; President Morales 21 Oct announced road would not be built, 25 Oct signed law prohibiting highway construction through territory. In country’s first ever judicial elections 16 Oct, estimated 60% of voters spoilt or left blank their ballots after opposition call for boycott, alleged biased pre-selection process; observers claim major defeat for Morales.

After weeks of protests against highway construction through indigenous territory and national park, tensions rose following 25 Sept clash as police forcibly dispersed protesters, resulting in several wounded, 1 child allegedly dead, hundreds detained. Interior, defence ministers resigned; attorney general’s office announced investigation against former interior minister. President Morales 26 Sept suspended construction, condemned police action, proposed referendum in affected regions on road. Nationwide anti-govt protests and strikes 27, 28 Sept, indigenous groups said will resume protest march on La Paz 1 Oct. OHCHR 29 Sept condemned “excessive and indiscriminate force” against protesters.

Series of anti-govt protests from groups traditionally considered ruling MAS party’s support base: indigenous organisations Cidob and Conamaq 15 Aug began protest to block plans to build highway through indigenous territory and national park, among other requests. President Morales accused U.S. of instigating protest; negotiations with govt so far unsuccessful.

Govt 17 July announced drug police had destroyed some 230 cocaine processing labs in eastern Santa Cruz department; 5 July announced increased anti-drugs cooperation with Brazil. Several opposition parties 21 July said they will campaign for blank vote in Oct judicial elections they claim ruling MAS party will manipulate.

Pre-candidate registration for Oct judiciary elections ended 12 June, parliament to select final 126 candidates to stand in election; opposition claimed ruling MAS party will use parliamentary majority to ensure selection of its own candidates. Govt 22 June withdrew from UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to protest penalisation of chewing coca leaves.