For the second time this month, Indians in Bolivia led a protest against a hike in gasoline prices proposed by President Carlos Mesa.

Indians say they will be hurt the most by the hike in prices. About 5,000 protested in the streets of Santa Cruz.

Indian leaders have increased their political clout in recent years in a country where Indians make up 61 percent of the population. Movement to Socialism, the largest Indian political party, swept last month's elections.

Indian activists drove former president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada from office in 2003. After being elected as a replacement, Mesa created a cabinet position for Indian affairs, made an agreement with a prominent Indian congressman and met with Native groups.

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Bolivians Protest Planned Gas Hikes (AP 1/24)
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