Bolivia protesters clash with police over crackdown law.
Pressure mounts on Paz for tougher unrest response.
Bolivia witnessed fresh unrest on Monday as protesters demanding the resignation of conservative President Rodrigo Paz clashed with police in the central city of Cochabamba. Demonstrators hurled firecrackers, stones and sticks at security forces, who responded with tear gas and crowd-control measures. The confrontations resulted in dozens of arrests and highlighted the growing tensions gripping the country.
The latest violence comes amid a wave of nationwide protests that have disrupted daily life across Bolivia for more than five weeks. The demonstrations intensified after President Paz signed a measure that critics say could pave the way for a tougher government crackdown on protesters. Opponents fear the move will give authorities broader powers to suppress dissent as public anger continues to grow.
The unrest has already caused significant economic and social disruption. Protest groups have established around 90 road blockades on major transportation routes across the country, severely affecting the movement of goods and people. The blockades have isolated several key urban centres, including the capital city of La Paz and the neighbouring city of El Alto, creating shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies.
Leading the demonstrations are Bolivia’s national workers’ union, peasant farmer organisations and Indigenous groups from the highlands. Many participants are frustrated by the government’s decision to eliminate fuel subsidies, a move they say has increased the cost of living at a time when families are already struggling with rising prices and stagnant incomes.
Protesters also accuse President Paz of failing to address Bolivia’s ongoing economic difficulties since taking office seven months ago. High inflation, low wages and concerns about employment opportunities have fueled dissatisfaction among many citizens. Some demonstrators argue that the administration has ignored the needs of ordinary Bolivians despite receiving strong electoral support from working-class and rural communities.
Pressure is growing on the government to find a solution to the crisis, while critics and supporters debate how authorities should respond. As road blockades remain in place and tensions continue to rise, concerns are mounting that further confrontations could deepen political divisions and worsen the country’s economic challenges in the weeks ahead.
Bolivia’s political crisis continued to deepen as nationwide protests and road blockades entered their sixth week, prompting growing pressure on President Rodrigo Paz to take stronger action to restore order.
According to a report released by the country’s independent public ombudsman, the unrest between May 1 and June 2 resulted in 10 deaths, 37 injuries and 365 arrests. The government has stated that seven of the deaths were linked to a lack of access to medical care caused by the blockades, while investigations into all fatalities remain ongoing.
President Paz has repeatedly called for dialogue with protest leaders and urged security forces to exercise restraint. However, demonstrators have largely rejected negotiations and continue to demand his resignation, just seven months after he assumed office. Paz’s election last year marked a historic political shift, ending nearly two decades of uninterrupted rule by the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), the party founded by former president Evo Morales.
As tensions escalate, Paz signed new legislation on Monday that makes it easier for the government to declare a state of emergency. Such a measure would allow authorities to temporarily suspend certain constitutional rights and authorize the military to help restore public order and dismantle road blockades. However, the law does not automatically impose emergency rule, and the president would still need to issue a separate decree before it could take effect.
The possibility of military involvement remains highly sensitive in Bolivia, where previous violent crackdowns on protests have contributed to the downfall of elected governments. It remains unclear whether Paz will move forward with a formal state of emergency declaration.
Defending the legislation, Paz said the measure was intended to protect citizens from groups allegedly fueling the unrest. In a national address, he accused criminal elements of exploiting the protests while reaffirming his willingness to engage in talks with organizations presenting legitimate concerns.
Violence continued shortly after the president’s speech. In the city of El Alto, crowds stormed a public transport union office amid growing frustration over fuel shortages, leading to at least 28 arrests. Meanwhile, in Cochabamba, clashes broke out when protesting farmers attempted to block a key bridge connecting the region to western Bolivia. Police used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who threw stones and dynamite, detaining 23 people during the operation.
The ongoing unrest continues to strain Bolivia’s economy and political stability as both sides remain far apart on a solution.