Bolivia Declares State of Emergency as Roadblocks Continue

Overview

• President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency on Saturday and authorized police and the armed forces to remove roadblocks to reopen key highways.
• The government signed a pact with the main trade union, the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB), that union leaders said suspended nationwide pressure measures on Friday.
• Important indigenous groups and Chapare coca growers refused to join the COB agreement and said they would maintain or escalate blockades on routes that still hold supply convoys.
• About 50 days of interruptions have left hospitals short of medicines, forced long fuel and food lines, and inflicted estimated economic losses reported up to US$2.8 billion.
• The government accuses ex‑president Evo Morales of encouraging the unrest while Morales denies organizing protests and remains in Chapare under an outstanding arrest warrant, and Congress must decide on the emergency decree within 72 hours.