Two people were killed and about 70 were injured when pro-government protesters demanding the resignation of the governor of Bolivia's Cochabamba region clashed with his supporters.
The violence began when the supporters of the governor, an opposition politician, clashed with thousands of rival stick-wielding protesters and police on Thursday.
The pro-government protesters had occupied the central square in Cochabamba city since Monday.
The protests were organised by supporters of Evo Morales, the Bolivian president, who opposes Governor Manfredo Reyes Villa's plans to call a referendum granting regions greater autonomy from La Paz.
al Jazeera