Bolivia is gripped by an indefinite general strike now in its 36th+ day. La Paz and El Alto are under blockade siege, causing severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and oxygen, with 7-10 deaths linked to the crisis. Triggered by Law 1720 (later repealed) and deepening economic woes, the strike is led by peasant unions with backing from Evo Morales-aligned groups. President Rodrigo Paz just signed a new "states of exception" law giving security forces stronger tools to clear blockades. But protesters are now demanding his resignation outright.