Bolivia Declares State of Emergency as Military Clears Road Blockades

Security forces began dismantling barricades on Saturday morning, deploying at least 200 tactical police officers to El Alto. By 9:00 a.m., a convoy of vehicles and heavy machinery moved to clear debris that had crippled the distribution of fuel, medicine, and food. The operation follows a presidential decree that permits broader military involvement to dismantle protests led by factions loyal to former President Evo Morales. While residents in affected areas have expressed relief as roads reopen, legal experts warn that the state of emergency could backfire if it fails to resolve the underlying economic grievances driving the unrest.

Paz, who has held office for only seven months, faces a mounting crisis sparked by his decision to cut fuel subsidies amid a severe dollar shortage. The protests have since evolved into a broader challenge to his administration, with unions demanding his resignation and policy reversals. Although Paz recently secured a tentative deal with the Bolivian Workers’ Confederation, rural groups aligned with Morales remain entrenched, particularly in the Cochabamba region. Under the current decree, the government has imposed local curfews and signaled potential restrictions on public gatherings, setting up a high-stakes legislative review as Congress prepares to vote on the emergency measures within the next three days.