Chile's LAN Airlines and American Airlines said on Wednesday they had suspended flights to La Paz, Bolivia, after weeks of violent protests there.

LAN, one of Latin America's leading passenger and cargo airline groups, said it suspended flights between Arica, in northern Chile, and La Paz for Wednesday and Thursday. The Arica-La Paz route, which LAN flies five times a week, is the airline's only Bolivia flight.

American Airlines said it had suspended flights to La Paz, Bolivia's administrative capital, but continued service to Santa Cruz, which is the country's wealthiest city and home of the business elite.

Protests that began in Bolivia last month intensified this week as tens of thousands of miners and peasants armed with sticks of dynamite and rocks swept into La Paz to demand nationalization of the country's energy resources.

"Because of the situation affecting La Paz, Bolivia, LAN reports that it has had to cancel its operations today, Wednesday, and tomorrow, Thursday June 9, between Arica and that city," LAN said in a statement.

American Airlines said it stopped flights to La Paz on Monday.

"The continued civil unrest there has made it hazardous we feel at this time for both passengers and employees and our equipment," an American Airlines spokesman said.

Bolivian protesters are calling for state control of Bolivia's natural gas reserves and constitutional reforms for more representation for the poor Indian majority.

In a dramatic late-night broadcast on Tuesday, Bolivian President Carlos Mesa appealed to the president of Congress and lower parliament chamber chief to step aside and allow early elections to halt protests that have blockaded La Paz and other cities. Mesa also has offered his resignation.