Bolivia Legislature Grants Paz Emergency Powers After 40 Days of Blockades
Updated
Updated · Jacobin magazine · Jun 16
Bolivia Legislature Grants Paz Emergency Powers After 40 Days of Blockades
3 articles · Updated · Jacobin magazine · Jun 16
Summary
Bolivia’s legislature approved a bill letting President Rodrigo Paz declare a state of emergency after more than 40 days of road blockades that have choked La Paz, El Alto and several regions.
Ninety arrests, reported injuries and alleged kidnappings of union leaders underscore a widening crackdown as authorities weigh military deployment to clear roads and protesters refuse to negotiate or stand down.
Fuel shortages and economic collapse have deepened the unrest: drivers have queued up to five days for gasoline, hospitals warn of oxygen shortages, and some emergency patients reportedly died after losing access to care.
The protests draw heavily from indigenous, peasant and labor groups that backed Paz last year but say he abandoned social promises for business interests, leaving Bolivia facing a dangerous political vacuum if he falls.
Why is the US backing Bolivia's embattled president amid widespread protests and a collapsing economy?
With no clear successor, what is the ultimate endgame for Bolivia’s massive popular protest movement?
Is Bolivia’s fierce battle over land and resources pushing the nation toward an inevitable civil conflict?
State of Emergency in Bolivia: 2026 Blockades, Humanitarian Crisis, and Political Division
Overview
In mid-June 2026, Bolivia faces a deepening crisis as persistent protests and widespread road blockades have continued for a month, with demonstrators in the political capital demanding President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation. These blockades are severely disrupting daily life and the national supply chain, leading to critical shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials. The humanitarian impact is growing, especially in cities like La Paz, where residents struggle to access basic goods. This ongoing unrest highlights the urgent challenges facing Bolivia, as the government and people grapple with escalating tensions and worsening conditions.