Bolivia Monday said it will send army troops besides police to safeguard the Bolivian portion of the Dakar Rally route, after an indigenous group threatened to disrupt the race unless its demands were met.

Some 3,600 troops will be deployed to ensure access to the cars, trucks, quads and motorcycles taking part in the race, which for the first time traverses Bolivia on Jan. 12 and 13, Interior Minister Carlos Romero said at a press conference in La Paz.

"We must all stay calm (about the race), a message of joy for the Bolivian people and the international community ... (the race) is totally guaranteed," said Romero.

Pablo Groux, Minister of Culture and Tourism, had originally announced on Sunday that the government would deploy the troops to make sure the rally takes place as planned.

The National Council of the Ayllus and Markas Indians of Qollasuyo (Conamaq), an indigenous organization, is threatening to block the route to pressure authorities into agreeing to negotiate an end to the occupation of their headquarters in La Paz.

Conamaq leader Gualberto Baraona said that a 72-hour deadline for the start of talks expired on Monday.