Bolivia declares state of emergency as protests paralyse country

Bolivia has declared a state of emergency as escalating protests and widespread road blockades continue to disrupt the country’s economy and restrict the flow of essential goods.

President Rodrigo Paz announced the measure on June 20, saying it would allow the government to deploy armed forces to clear blocked routes and restore order after nearly 50 days of disruption, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

The emergency decree grants the government expanded constitutional powers, including the ability to use the military to reopen key transport corridors. It takes immediate effect but must be submitted to Congress within 24 hours and approved or rejected within 72 hours.

Protesters, many linked to former President Evo Morales, have blocked major roads, stranding freight transport and cutting off supplies of food, fuel and medicine, including to the capital La Paz.

The unrest initially began after Paz moved to cut long-standing fuel subsidies in an effort to reduce the fiscal deficit amid a foreign currency shortage and ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund. Although the government later adjusted fuel pricing policies and reversed some land reforms, protests broadened into wider economic and political demands.

Demonstrators are now calling for wage increases, an end to fuel and dollar shortages, and the resignation of the president.

The declaration followed a national address by Paz, delivered hours after his government reached an agreement with the Bolivian Workers’ Confederation (COB) aimed at easing tensions. However, major transport routes in key production regions remain blocked by rural groups aligned with Morales, who were not part of the negotiations.

Speaking to the nation, Paz said the situation had escalated beyond protest into an attempt to destabilize democratic institutions.

“This is not a state of emergency to restrict people’s lives ... It is a state of emergency to give freedom back to the people, to free Bolivia from those who use political conflict to block roads and harm the population,” Paz said.

By Sabina Mammadli