LA PAZ, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia will extend a state of emergency for another 90 days with the approval of the Legislative Assembly on Thursday, the legislature said.
The measure, approved with 100 votes after nearly nine hours of debate, will allow the government to keep in place restrictions imposed in June, when nearly two months of road blockades disrupted transport, supplies and public order.
Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo and Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano defended the extension before lawmakers, citing official reports warning of possible renewed protests, blockades, strikes and gatherings that could affect strategic sectors.
Oviedo said the documents warned of possible disruptions to fuel, food, medicine and oxygen supplies, as well as critical infrastructure.
Justiniano said that although the current situation is less tense than it was three months ago, the improvement does not eliminate the risks that led the government to request an extension.
The state of emergency was first declared under Supreme Decree 5636 in June for 90 days and was set to expire on Friday. ■
