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Bolivia’s president declares state of emergency over blockade crisis
CNN • • world
Key Points:
- Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency after weeks of anti-government protests demanding his resignation over rising living costs and economic hardships.
- The protests, supported by unions, farmers, and former President Evo Morales’ supporters, have caused road blockades leading to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, paralyzing the economy for 50 days.
- The state of emergency authorizes the military and police to restore order, aiming to end violence and reopen blocked roads to normalize the country’s functioning.
- Paz, who took office seven months ago amid Bolivia’s worst economic crisis in decades, had previously signed a law allowing military intervention in internal conflicts and views the emergency as a last resort after failed dialogue.
- The unrest began after Paz cut fuel subsidies to reduce the deficit, amid inflation at a 40-year high, scarcity of fuel, and a plummeting natural gas export market, with protesters also demanding wage increases and an end to shortages.
