Bolivians killed in massacre says UNASUR

Twenty Bolivians- mostly pro-government supporters- were killed as part of a massacre in September according to the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) bloc.

According to the head of inquiries- Argentine Rodolfo Mattarollo- the deaths in the conflict-torn province of Pando were "a massacre under the UN definition of the word." In addition, Mattarollo claimed that local authorities including Pando’s former prefect are implicated in the massacre and other acts of violence.

In a report last month, human rights organization Amnesty International described the situation in Bolivia:

In September, civilians linked to some regional authorities opposed to President (Evo) Morales blocked roads, and forcibly seized airports and local branches of state offices. They also attacked media outlets and offices of several NGOs working with indigenous and peasant communities.

The violence in Pando led to a government edict of martial law which was recently removed by Morales.

Image- Canada.com (“Bolivian autonomist supporters hit a President Evo Morales supporter during Beni's autonomy referendum in Trinidad, about 540 km (336 miles) northeast of La Paz, June 1, 2008.”)
Sources- Canada.com, Amnesty International, Prensa Latina, Reuters Alertnet