Bolivia declares state of exception after 51 days of road blockades, 14 dead and $2.7 billion in losses

The state of exception

President Rodrigo Paz announced the measure in a televised address at dawn on Saturday, declaring that Bolivians “cannot continue to be hostages of blockades that prevent them from working, studying, receiving medical care, supplying themselves and bringing sustenance to their homes.” The decree, which lasts 90 days, allows the armed forces to support police in clearing roads and restoring public order. Paz insisted it “does not seek to remove normality but to return it” and that “the government's doors will remain open for those who wish to dialogue in good faith.”

The blockades

By mid-afternoon Saturday the state road authority ABC reported 34 active blockades, down from 40 at dawn and 47 the previous day. The cuts were concentrated in La Paz (18), Cochabamba (15), Oruro (4) and Santa Cruz (2). Police and heavy machinery began clearing debris early in the morning, especially on the La Paz–Oruro highway and around Cochabamba. In the capital and neighbouring El Alto, markets reopened and municipal crews collected rubbish that had piled up for days, while the flow of vehicles gradually increased.

La Paz18

Cochabamba15

Oruro4

Santa Cruz2

La Paz

18

Cochabamba

15

Oruro

4

Santa Cruz

2

Data from the article text

The human and economic toll

The ombudsman’s office says 14 people have died since the protests began on 1 May, either in violent clashes or because ambulances could not reach hospitals. Business associations estimate economic damage at $2.7 billion. Shortages of food, fuel and medical oxygen have hit La Paz and El Alto hardest.

The political fault lines

The protests were launched by the Bolivian Workers' Centre (COB) and later joined by peasant unions loyal to Morales. On Friday the government signed an agreement with COB leader Mario Argollo, who declared: “As of this moment, pressure measures are being lifted nationwide, with a commitment from the government to immediately fulfil everything that has been signed.” However, the Túpac Katari peasant federation and other pro-Morales groups rejected the deal, calling the COB “traitors” and vowing to intensify blockades until President Paz resigns.

Accusations against Morales

Paz has accused the former president of orchestrating “a coup d’état from narco-terrorism” from his stronghold in the Chapare region. Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora called Morales a “rotten apple” that must be removed from Chapare, saying “that rotten apple has unfinished business with the law.” Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo reported “relief and citizen support” for the clearance operations and said the police were advancing toward Oruro without incident.