Bolivia minister killed by protesting miners Published duration 26 August 2016

image copyright Ministerio de Gobierno de Bolivia image caption Mr Illanes was reportedly beaten to death after being seized by protesters

The Bolivian government says its deputy interior minister has been kidnapped and killed by striking miners.

Rodolfo Illanes and his bodyguard were seized earlier on Thursday at a roadblock in Panduro, south of La Paz, official said.

Interior Minister Carlos Romero said "all indications" were that Mr Illanes had been murdered in a "cowardly and brutal" attack.

Two miners also died from gunshot wounds during clashes with police.

Mr Illanes was beaten to death at about 18:00 local time (00:00 GMT), La Razon newspaper quoted Defence Minister Reymi Ferreira as saying.

The authorities could not for the moment retrieve his body, the minister said. More than 100 arrests had been made, he said.

President Evo Morales had been "profoundly affected" by Mr Illanes's death, Mr Ferreira added.

While he was being held, Mr Illanes told Bolivian radio that a condition for his release was that the government negotiate with miners over new legislation.

The miners have been blocking a highway in Panduro since Tuesday.

The National Federation of Mining Co-operatives of Bolivia, once strong allies of President Morales, began what they said would be an indefinite protest after negotiations failed.

Protesters have been demanding more mining concessions, the right to work for private companies, and greater union representation.

image copyright AP image caption Miners have been clashing with police over proposed legislation

image copyright AP image caption Police have been using tear gas

image copyright EPA image caption Two miners were killed by live fire on Thursday

image copyright AP image caption Police have been attempting to remove the protesters

image copyright Reuters image caption The miners have been blocking a highway since Tuesday

Related Topics Mining

Bolivia