Bolivian government and COB union reach deal after seven weeks of protests, but peasant blockades persist
President Rodrigo Paz and the Bolivian Workers' Confederation (COB) struck an agreement Friday to end nationwide strikes and roadblocks that have lasted over six weeks, though peasant groups and supporters of ex-president Evo Morales continue their blockades demanding the president's resignation.
The agreement
After more than six weeks of protests that paralysed parts of the country, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz reached an accord with the COB, the country's main labour confederation, on Friday. COB executive secretary Mario Argollo announced the immediate lifting of nationwide pressure measures following the signing in La Paz.
There is a country waiting for white smoke to appear today. We believe we must begin to iron out our differences; we must start building a country based on consensus, with workers participating in the decisions.
President Paz described the deal in conciliatory terms.
The government committed to fulfil the agreement immediately, though the text of the accord was not made public.Dialogue is stronger than force itself.
- Peasant federation begins roadblocks, later joined by broader anti-government protests
- Government and COB sign agreement; COB lifts nationwide pressure measures
50 days of roadblocks
The crisis began on 6 May, when the Federación Departamental de Campesinos de La Paz launched roadblocks. The blockades soon spread, causing severe fuel shortages, long queues at petrol stations, and disruptions to food and medical supply chains. Reuters reported that Bolivians faced challenges accessing basic goods for 50 days as the protests escalated.
The demonstrations, which also involved non-peasant groups, carried a central demand: the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. The COB joined the pressure campaign at a later stage, adding its organised workforce to the broader movement.
Outstanding blockades by peasants and Morales loyalists
Crucially, the agreement with the COB does not end all roadblocks. The peasant federation that started the protests on 6 May has not suspended its measures, and groups loyal to former president Evo Morales (2006–2019) continue to block highways, insisting on Paz's removal. Those groups have rejected dialogue so far, creating a split between the union leadership that signed the deal and the rural base still mobilised.
Deutsche Welle noted that an approach to the peasant federation is still pending, and the pro-Morales factions have ruled out talks unless the president steps down.
What the deal leaves unanswered
Neither side disclosed the terms of the accord. It is unclear whether the government offered concessions on fuel prices, wages, or political reforms. The immediate result is the suspension of COB-led strikes, which may ease some supply bottlenecks, but the continued roadblocks in key agricultural regions could still strain food distribution in the days ahead.
