Llallagua Residents Demand Mayor's Resignation, Call for Military Presence Amid Drug Trafficking Concerns

Llallagua, Bolivia – Residents of Llallagua held a public assembly (cabildo) on June 13, 2025, demanding the immediate resignation of their mayor and municipal councillors. The community cited widespread neglect and a lack of municipal attention to their needs as primary reasons for their protest. Among the key resolutions passed, residents voted to prohibit the sale of fuel in bidones (containers) to undocumented vehicles, a measure aimed at curbing illegal activities. Furthermore, the assembly called for the permanent installation of a military post in the area, citing growing concerns over drug trafficking in nearby communities. Speaking to reporters, one resident stated, "It was hunger that brought us to the streets to defend ourselves. This necessity has brought us to the street. We don't have a secure salary. This has been our desperation to come out." Another resident added, "They are more armed than the police, drug traffickers." Community members explicitly denied any political affiliations, asserting that their protest was solely driven by the dire economic and social conditions they face.