BOLIVIA’S military elite tried to defuse unrest in the ranks by reversing plans yesterday to fire more than 400 non-commissioned officers who protested against alleged racist discrimination.

But the announcement by the armed forces chief General Victor Baldivieso following a night of violent protests in La Paz did not include all 700 NCOs ordered sacked after protests last month — triggering a threat of further unrest.

During violent clashes late on Friday relatives of NCOs tried to storm the central La Paz barracks that house the general’s HQ.