Irish trapped in Bolivia protest may soon be free

The Department of Foreign Affairs is hopeful that a resolution of a Bolivian blockade in which three Irish nationals are caught…

The Department of Foreign Affairs is hopeful that a resolution of a Bolivian blockade in which three Irish nationals are caught will be found "in the next few days".

The farmers' blockade, in protest at the government's war on cocaine production, is in a remote region of Bolivia, A spokesman said the Department had been in contact with the Irish honorary consul, Mr Peter O'Toole, in La Paz, the Bolivian capital.

"The Irish people are all safe and well," he said. "They are still prevented from leaving the area but we are hopeful they'll be able to within a few days."

Asked whether their families had been in touch with the Department, he said he could "not comment on individual cases".

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The Irish are said to be among a group of about 40 tourists trapped in the Valle de Sorata region, amid blockades by local coca farmers. The group of tourists also includes Belgian, French, German, US, Israeli and British nationals.

Kitty Holland

Kitty Holland

Kitty Holland is Social Affairs Correspondent of The Irish Times