President Paz declares state of emergency, military clears roadblocks amid Bolivia protests
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4 days · 3 summary articles
President Paz declares state of emergency, military clears roadblocks amid Bolivia protests
Bolivia declares state of emergency as military clears blockades amid protests
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President Rodrigo Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency in Bolivia on Saturday, deploying the army and bulldozers to dismantle anti-government roadblocks that have paralysed the country for six weeks. The move, announced late Friday and enforced on Saturday, suspends protest rights and authorises military operations to clear blockades that have choked supply lines to La Paz and other cities, triggering severe shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies.
Soldiers and heavy machinery were deployed across key routes on Saturday morning, razing roadblocks erected by unions, Indigenous groups and coca farmers protesting economic reforms introduced after the government scrapped fuel subsidies in May. At least 14 people have died in the unrest since June, according to reports from La Paz and Cochabamba. The state of emergency, declared by Paz late Friday, grants the military sweeping powers to restore order and reopen roads, effectively ending six weeks of continuous blockades that have crippled the economy.
The protests began in early May after the government eliminated fuel subsidies, a decision that triggered immediate unrest among transport workers and farmers. Road blockades escalated over the following weeks, cutting off La Paz and other major cities for 50 consecutive days. The blockades have caused severe shortages, with hospitals reporting critical shortages of essential medicines and fuel stations running dry. The government’s decision to declare a state of emergency follows days of escalating violence, including clashes between protesters and security forces that left at least 14 dead.
Under the emergency measures, the right to protest is suspended and the military is authorised to use force to clear blockades. Bulldozers have been deployed alongside troops to dismantle roadblocks, while security forces have established checkpoints to prevent further blockades. The government has framed the emergency declaration as a necessary measure to restore public order and prevent further economic damage. “The state of emergency is a last resort to protect Bolivian lives and restore essential services,” a government spokesperson said.
International observers have expressed concern over the escalation. The United Nations human rights office has called for restraint and urged the government to respect fundamental freedoms, while regional bodies have urged dialogue to resolve the crisis. Opposition leaders have condemned the emergency declaration as an authoritarian overreach, accusing Paz of using the military to suppress legitimate grievances. “This is a dangerous escalation that will deepen the crisis,” said opposition leader Eva Morales. “The government is using force to silence dissent instead of addressing the root causes of the protests.”
The emergency measures come as the government faces mounting pressure to address the economic crisis that has fuelled the unrest. With roads now being cleared and supply lines gradually reopening, the focus will shift to whether the government can restore stability without further violence. The coming days will determine whether the emergency measures succeed in restoring order or further inflame tensions across Bolivia.
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⚡ NEWSBolivia declares state of emergency and deploys army to halt protestsBolivias President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency, deploying the army and bulldozers to dismantle anti-government roadblocks. The move curbs protest rights amid six weeks of demonstrations by unions, Indigenous groups, and coca farmers against economic reforms.📰 #Geopolitics #GeoWire
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