LA PAZ — Bolivia has declared a nationwide state of emergency and deployed military forces to help clear road blockades after weeks of anti-government protests disrupted transportation networks and caused shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies across the country, government officials said.
President Rodrigo Paz announced the measure in a televised address on Saturday, saying the government would use emergency powers to restore access to major highways and ensure the movement of essential goods. The declaration followed about 50 days of protests and blockades that authorities said had severely affected economic activity and daily life.
“The full force of the law” would be used to reopen roads and restore order, Paz said in his address, according to government statements and media reports. The emergency decree authorizes broader military involvement in support of police operations aimed at dismantling blockades and protecting key infrastructure.
The protests began after the government moved to reduce long-standing fuel subsidies as part of a broader effort to address fiscal pressures and a worsening shortage of U.S. dollars. Demonstrations later expanded to include demands for wage increases, relief from rising living costs and, in some cases, calls for Paz’s resignation. Protesters have included labor unions, Indigenous organizations, rural groups and supporters of former President Evo Morales, although Morales has denied directing the unrest.
Government officials said the blockades stranded cargo vehicles and interrupted deliveries of food, fuel and medicine to major cities, including La Paz. Authorities reported that shortages had affected hospitals, businesses and public services in several regions.
The state of emergency was later approved by Bolivia’s Congress, allowing the government to continue military-backed operations to clear roads and restore transportation links. Reuters reported on Sunday that the number of active blockades had declined after agreements were reached with some protest groups, though demonstrations continued in several areas.
Critics of the emergency decree have warned that military deployment could heighten tensions if negotiations fail to address underlying economic grievances. Opposition figures and protest leaders have continued to call for broader talks on fuel policy, wages and economic reforms.
Officials said some major transport routes had reopened by Monday, easing supply disruptions in parts of the country. However, authorities acknowledged that protests remained active in several regions and that the situation continued to be monitored closely. The government said security forces would remain deployed while efforts to restore normal transportation and public services continue.
