Bolivian President Slashes Salary by 50% as Protester Death and Economic Crisis Fuel Fourth Week of Unrest
President Rodrigo Paz announced a 50% salary cut for himself and his ministers on Monday, a largely symbolic concession as Bolivia's political crisis deepens with a protester's death and widespread unrest entering its fourth week.
A Fatal Turn in the Protests
The Bolivian government has admitted the death of a 24-year-old protester, a fatality it had initially denied. The death occurred on Saturday during a police and military operation to clear roadblocks that have besieged the seat of government, La Paz, for three weeks. According to the death certificate, the protester died from a "firearm projectile." Presidential spokesperson José Luis Gálvez expressed condolences but maintained that riot police are instructed not to use firearms or rubber bullets.
This had a specific cause and, no matter who it was, no one is above the law.
Economic Grievances at the Core
The unrest is fueled by a severe economic crisis, the worst in four decades, which has turned some of President Paz's former voters against him. The International Monetary Fund forecasts Bolivia's GDP will contract by 3.3% this year, the sharpest decline in the region. Protesters, including miners, farmers, and factory workers, reject Paz's liberal economic policies, demand salary increases of around 20%, and blame the government for distributing poor-quality gasoline that damaged thousands of vehicles.
We are angry, because he has lied to us.
A Symbolic Concession
In a speech in Sucre, President Paz announced he would halve his monthly salary and that of his ministers. His income will drop from nearly $4,000 to about $1,800. The measure is largely symbolic, as a salary reduction was not among the protesters' main demands. Paz also announced tax relief for small business owners, public transport drivers, and the self-employed, insisting the measures are "not for the rich."
A Leader Under Siege
Paz, a center-right leader who took office six months ago with a parliamentary minority, is facing a coalition of unions, Indigenous farmers, and neighborhood councils who feel excluded from his government. He admitted to having "failed to include diversity" and called for dialogue. However, protests have spread from La Paz across much of Bolivia, causing severe shortages of food, fuel, and medicine in La Paz and El Alto. On Monday, thousands of demonstrators marching from El Alto clashed with riot police using tear gas in the capital's main square, leading to a dozen arrests before calm returned in the afternoon.
When we took office, we decided to create a broad government. We have failed to include diversity.
- Rodrigo Paz takes office with a parliamentary minority.
- Protests and roadblocks begin in La Paz, demanding Paz's resignation.
- A 24-year-old protester is fatally shot during a police operation to clear blockades.
- Government admits protester death; Paz announces 50% salary cut for himself and ministers.
