Doctors, medical students across Bolivia rally against government health policies

Clashes erupted in Santa Cruz and La Paz on Wednesday as protesting doctors, medical professionals and medical students entered their 34th day of a strike that has all but shut down local hospitals, with the exception of emergency rooms.

Protesters are demanding the repeal of a new law that imposes heavier sanctions on doctors found guilty of causing physical harm to their patients. The new punishments include five to nine years of imprisonment, the suspension of a professional title, and the seizure of assets. Talks with the government of President Evo Morales regarding the new law have crumbled.