BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Bolivia entered a new and uncertain phase of its political crisis on Saturday after President Rodrigo Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency, authorizing security forces and the military to dismantle roadblocks that have crippled the country’s transportation network and economy for more than seven weeks.
The emergency declaration came after nearly 50 days of widespread protests that have left at least 14 people dead, disrupted the movement of essential goods, and intensified political divisions across the country.
In a nationally televised address delivered early Saturday morning, President Paz defended the extraordinary measure, saying the prolonged blockades had evolved beyond legitimate social demonstrations and had become an organized campaign aimed at destabilizing Bolivia’s democratic institutions. He argued that the government could no longer remain passive while millions of citizens continued to suffer from shortages of food, fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies.
“There comes a moment when failing to act ceases to be prudence and becomes irresponsibility. And that moment has arrived,” Paz said as he announced the emergency order. He stated that the decree would allow broader deployment of military personnel to assist police in reopening highways, restoring public order, and ensuring the uninterrupted distribution of essential goods throughout the country. The president also warned that individuals or groups continuing to obstruct transportation routes would face legal consequences.
The nationwide protests, many of which are backed by organizations aligned with former President Evo Morales, have blocked major highways linking Bolivia’s principal cities and productive regions. The prolonged closures have stranded thousands of cargo trucks while severely disrupting the transportation of fuel, agricultural products, medicines, and consumer goods.
The shortages have been felt particularly in the administrative capital of La Paz and the neighboring city of El Alto, where residents have increasingly struggled with supply disruptions and rising prices.
Government officials reported that security operations began shortly after the emergency declaration took effect. Police units, supported by the armed forces and heavy machinery, moved into several key locations to remove barricades and reopen strategic highways. By Saturday afternoon, Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said authorities had successfully cleared several major roadblocks and that traffic was gradually returning to normal in some areas.
He emphasized that while the government remained open to dialogue with protest leaders, restoring freedom of movement and protecting citizens’ access to essential supplies had become an immediate priority.
Earlier in the day, tense confrontations erupted along highways surrounding El Alto as government tractors and security forces attempted to clear debris and barricades erected by protesters. In several neighborhoods, residents gathered to watch the operations, with some expressing relief that roads were finally reopening after weeks of disruption.
“We have suffered, and we want all of this cleaned up. It’s good,” said 65-year-old Elvira de Mamani as she observed heavy equipment removing obstacles from a highway near her neighborhood.
Not everyone welcomed the government’s intervention. In parts of El Alto populated by migrants from Bolivia’s rural highland communities, dozens of demonstrators assembled alongside highways, voicing strong support for the protest movement. Many argued that the demonstrations reflected growing frustration over deteriorating living conditions and the government’s economic policies.
“We have the right to fight for our livelihoods, for our food. We will fight for our children,” protester Fortunata Perez said through tears as demonstrators pledged to continue resisting government efforts to end the blockades.
The emergency declaration became possible after Congress repealed legislation in May that had previously limited the executive branch’s authority to issue emergency decrees. Under Bolivia’s constitutional procedures, President Paz must formally notify Congress of the declaration within 24 hours. Lawmakers will then have up to 72 hours to approve or reject the measure.
Support for the emergency powers has emerged from sections of the opposition. Lissa Claros, a legislator from the conservative Alianza Libre party, said lawmakers believed government action had become unavoidable after weeks of unrest.
“We have seen that after 50 days of the blockade, it was necessary. We see it as somewhat late, because unfortunately, lives have been lost,” she said.
Senator Jose Manuel Ormachea, also representing Alianza Libre, indicated that his party intended to support the emergency declaration during the congressional vote expected later on Saturday.
Despite that backing, several opposition lawmakers and independent legal analysts warned that granting expanded emergency powers could further inflame political tensions if the government relies too heavily on security measures without addressing the root causes of public anger. Some experts cautioned that while reopening highways may restore supplies in the short term, lasting stability will require meaningful political dialogue and economic reforms.
President Paz rejected criticism of the emergency order, insisting its purpose was to restore fundamental freedoms rather than restrict them.
“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,” he said.
The declaration came only hours after Paz announced an agreement reached Friday with the Bolivian Workers’ Confederation (COB), one of the country’s largest labor organizations. Government officials hoped the deal would reduce tensions and encourage protesters to remove roadblocks peacefully.
However, many of the highways connecting Bolivia’s key agricultural and industrial regions remain under the control of rural organizations loyal to former President Evo Morales. Those groups were not involved in the negotiations with the government and have vowed to continue their demonstrations, particularly around the central department of Cochabamba, where many of the largest blockades remain in place.
While transportation has been severely disrupted, Bolivia’s Mining Ministry reported that the country’s mining industry continues operating normally despite the unrest.
The political crisis began after President Paz eliminated longstanding fuel subsidies as part of an effort to reduce Bolivia’s growing fiscal deficit amid worsening shortages of U.S. dollars and ongoing discussions with the International Monetary Fund. Although the government later introduced measures to stabilize fuel prices and reversed controversial land reform proposals, public dissatisfaction continued to grow.
Protesters are demanding higher wages, improved access to fuel, an end to persistent shortages of foreign currency, and the resignation of President Paz. Many argue that the government’s economic reforms have worsened living conditions during an already difficult financial period.
Paz has served as Bolivia’s president for just seven months, taking office after nearly two decades of governments led by the leftist Movement Toward Socialism, headed by Evo Morales, who governed the country from 2006 until 2019. Paz has repeatedly accused Morales of encouraging the protests in an attempt to undermine the new administration and force early elections.
Morales has publicly supported the protest movement and has called for early national elections, describing the demonstrations as a response to worsening economic hardship rather than a coordinated political campaign. He has denied accusations that he orchestrated the unrest, insisting that widespread public frustration is rooted in declining living standards, shortages of essential goods, and dissatisfaction with the government’s economic policies.
The United States also responded to the latest developments, with a State Department official expressing strong support for President Paz’s decision to restore public order and reopen transportation routes. The official said Washington supports efforts to ensure the uninterrupted flow of food, medicine, fuel, and other essential supplies to the Bolivian people while monitoring developments closely as the political crisis continues to unfold.
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