Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz declares a state of emergency as anti-government road blockades and demonstrations paralyse parts of the country, including major cities. Multiple outlets report that the blockades, which begin in connection with protests that have been ongoing since April, restrict movement and disrupt supply chains. They describe key roads being cut off, with trucks stranded and shortages affecting essential goods such as food, fuel and medicine.
Al Jazeera and other reports link the unrest to protests over Paz’s austerity measures and broader anti-government demands, including calls for his resignation. France 24 adds that the measures deepen since protests have persisted for nearly two months, affecting economic activity.
Several outlets say the emergency measures expand the government’s ability to use security forces to respond. The Express Tribune and the Washington Times state that the declaration paves the way for broader military involvement to clear road blockades, while France 24 describes the authorization as granting broader powers to deploy the military and remove the disruptions.
Overall, sources agree the state of emergency is a government response to escalating blockade-related disruption during ongoing protests.
