Bolivia’s president declares state of emergency

Key Points:

• Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a 90-day state of emergency granting the military authority to remove road blockades disrupting fuel and food supplies in La Paz and other major cities amid ongoing protests.
• The protests, sparked by austerity measures including the cancellation of fuel subsidies, have led to violent clashes, at least 17 deaths mostly linked to medical care disruptions, and significant shortages affecting transportation and hospitals.
• The decree prohibits blockades affecting transportation and supplies, tasks the armed forces with restoring order, and aims to guarantee fuel availability without limiting constitutional rights or due process.
• Paz faces pressure from Indigenous and rural groups who initially supported him but now accuse his government of neglect, as well as opposition from both right-wing congressional forces and former President Evo Morales, who backs the protests and calls for new elections.
• The U.S. government supports Paz, providing emergency assistance and condemning the protests as attempts to overthrow the legitimate government, with officials warning against those exploiting the unrest.