Supporters and protesters for the Bolivian government, who want the 2024 census to be brought forward by a year, clashed in the country’s economic hub in Santa Cruz on Saturday, leaving one person dead.

The protests were part of a strike called in Santa Cruz.

Skirmishes broke out early in the morning when government supporters and critics emerged armed with stones, sticks and explosives in Puerto Quijarro, a town of around 20,000 on the border with Brazil, images on social media show.

A man who tried to stop anti-government protesters from blocking a bridge in Puerto Quijarro was reportedly attacked with sticks and taken to a city hospital, where he died.

“We condemn the violence used during a citizens’ strike that resulted in the irreparable loss of one life in Puerto Quijarro,” said left-wing President Luis Arce.

Though the census is slated for 2024, some would like it to be brought forward to next year so that the influence of the booming Santa Cruz area is reflected in the legislature sooner.

“We need more resources. This department, Santa Cruz, is very large and resources for health and education are very limited,” Claudia Lopez, a 35-year-old store owner, told AFP.

The conservative lowland city of two million people has a bustling business core and agriculture on the outskirts, in contrast to the arid Andean highland city of La Paz, the country’s seat of government, which is heavily influenced by Quechua and Aymara indigenous peoples.

Many roads in Santa Cruz — usually full — were closed and empty on Saturday.