Bolivia’s deputy interior minister has been killed after being kidnapped by striking miners, the country's government said.
Rodolfo Illanes visited the workers in La Paz state to open a dialogue, according to reports, when he was kidnapped along with his bodyguard.
About 100 people have been arrested in response. Industrial action by miners in the country descended into violence this week as two protesters died and police officers were injured.
Officials said Mr Illanes was taken hostage by the miners on Thursday morning. At midday, the deputy minister tweeted: “My health is fine, my family can be calm.” There are reports that he had heart problems.
However, defence minister Reymi Ferreira said he died at about 6pm that evening. There were reports he had been tortured. It is believed Mr Illanes' bodyguard escaped and is recovering in hospital.
In an emotional broadcast, Mr Ferreira told local television Mr Illanes was “savagely beaten” to death.
He added: “This crime will not go unpunished. Authorities are investigating ... around 100 people have been arrested.”
The killing was described as “cowardly and brutal” by government minister Carlos Romero.
Government officials are now trying to retrieve Mr Illanes’ body.
Protests by miners in Bolivia demanding changes to laws turned violent this week after a highway 80 miles south of La Paz was blockaded.
Two workers were killed on Wednesday after shots were fired by police. The government said 17 police officers had been wounded during the disputes, photos of which showed miners using sling shots and tear gas being deployed by police.
Bolivia's informal or artisan miners number about 100,000 and work in self-managed cooperatives. They want to be able to associate with private companies, which is prohibited. The government argues that if they associate with multinational companies they would cease to be cooperatives.
The National Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Bolivia, once strong allies of President Evo Morales, went on an indefinite protest after negotiations over the mining legislation failed.
