Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency on Saturday, authorising broader military deployment to dismantle road blockades and restore order after nearly 50 days of protests severely disrupted the country’s economy.
The emergency decree, which takes immediate effect, grants the president expanded constitutional powers, including the deployment of armed forces to clear blockades. Under the constitution, Congress must be notified within 24 hours and has up to 72 hours to approve or reject the measure.
The protests, led largely by groups aligned with former President Evo Morales, have blocked major highways, leaving trucks stranded and disrupting supplies of food, fuel and medicines to several parts of the country, including the capital, La Paz.
The crisis in Bolivia began after President Rodrigo Paz abruptly ended long-standing fuel subsidies in an effort to reduce the fiscal deficit amid a worsening dollar shortage and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.
Although the government later moved to stabilise fuel prices and reverse unpopular land reforms, demonstrations continued to intensify, evolving into a broader protest movement.
Unions and protest groups are now demanding higher wages, an end to fuel and foreign currency shortages, and the resignation of President Paz.