Clashes rock Bolivia as new interim leader challenged

Renewed clashes have rocked Bolivia's capital as the country's newly declared interim president, a second-tier lawmaker thrust into the post because of a power vacuum, faced challenges to her leadership claim from supporters of ousted Evo Morales.

A day after Jeanine Anez claimed the presidency, violent clashes broke out between rock-throwing Morales' supporters and police in riot gear, who fired volleys of tear gas to disperse the large crowd of protesters.

Some demonstrators tore off corrugated sheets of metal and wooden planks from construction sites to use as weapons. Many had flooded the streets of the capital and its sister city of El Alto, a Morales stronghold, waving the multicolored indigenous flag and chanting, "Now, civil war!" "We don't want any dictators. This lady has stepped on us that's why we're so mad," said Paulina Luchampe.

"We're going to fight with our brothers and sisters until Evo Morales is back. We ask for his return. He needs to put the house in order."