Bolivia's president declares state of emergency as road blockades choke fuel and food supplies

Military ordered to remove blockades

On Saturday, President Rodrigo Paz declared a 90-day state of emergency across Bolivia, ordering the armed forces to assist police in dismantling road blockades that have paralysed the country for 50 days. The decree prohibits blocking roads and authorises temporary military support to "restore order, reopen roads and protect the population," according to a government statement. Paz framed the measure as a restoration of freedom, not a restriction.

“This is not a state of emergency to restrict people's lives. It is a state of emergency to give people back their freedom.”

Weeks of protests and economic distress

The demonstrations began at the end of April, initially triggered by proposed land reform that critics said would benefit large landowners, but quickly expanded into a broader movement against austerity measures, including the cancellation of fuel subsidies. Inflation of 14 percent over the past year and a global energy shock have deepened Bolivia's worst economic crisis since the 1980s. Farmers, miners, factory workers and indigenous groups joined road blockades that cut off La Paz, the administrative capital, from fuel and food supplies. The government says at least 17 people died, most because transport disruptions prevented medical care; 365 people were arrested and 37 injured in confrontations between dynamite-wielding protesters and riot police.

A partial truce and remaining defiance

On Friday night, Paz reached an agreement with the Bolivian Workers' Confederation (COB), the country's main labour union. COB executive secretary Mario Argollo announced the lifting of pressure measures nationwide.

“From this moment onward, the pressure measures are lifted nationwide.”

However, the deal did not include all protesting groups. The Tupac Katari farmers' union, the cocaleros aligned with former president Evo Morales, and indigenous organisations refuse to stand down. Isidro Auca, leader of the cocaleros in Cochabamba, said protests will continue until Paz resigns.

“The protests will continue until President Rodrigo Paz resigns. We maintain the road blockades, we will not surrender.”

Political accusations and congressional review

Paz has accused left-wing former president Evo Morales of orchestrating the blockades, which he describes as an organised attempt to destabilise democracy. Morales denies involvement. The decree will last 90 days but can be lifted earlier if violence and threats cease. Under Bolivian law, Congress must approve or reject the measure within 72 hours.

Timeline of crisis

Protests began at the end of April. After 50 days of blockades, Paz signed a deal with the COB on 19 June, but the emergency declaration the following day underscores that many roadblocks remain.