Why Bolivia Has Been Rocked By Protests And Why It Has Now Declared An Emergency

Last Updated:June 22, 2026, 13:02 IST

For 50 days, Bolivians have protested rising living costs, fuel shortages and subsidy cuts, pushing the government to declare a nationwide emergency.

Bolivia has declared a nationwide state of emergency after 50 days of anti-government protests and road blockades paralysed key routes, disrupted supplies of food, fuel and medicines and left at least 14 people dead.

President Rodrigo Paz announced the measure in an early-morning address on Saturday, authorising the military and police to clear roads and restore the movement of essential goods. The 90-day order restricts the right to protest and allows the armed forces to be deployed domestically.

Within hours, soldiers, armed police and bulldozers began dismantling roadblocks in and around El Alto, which lies next to Bolivia’s administrative capital, La Paz.

The protests began over Paz’s economic measures but have since developed into a wider political crisis. Workers’ unions, Indigenous organisations, farmers, coca growers and groups aligned with former president Evo Morales have taken part, with demands ranging from higher wages and an end to fuel shortages to Paz’s resignation.

What Is Happening In Bolivia?

For more than six weeks, protesters have blocked major highways with rocks, logs and debris. The blockades have stranded trucks and restricted the delivery of food, fuel and medical supplies. AFP reported that the disruption has cost the economy billions of dollars.

According to Bolivia’s ombudsman’s office, at least 14 people were killed between May 1 and June 15.

The demonstrations have now become the most serious challenge faced by Paz since he assumed office seven months ago, ending nearly two decades of rule dominated by the leftist Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS.

What Triggered The Protests?

The immediate trigger was Paz’s decision in May to abruptly cut long-standing fuel subsidies in an effort to reduce Bolivia’s fiscal deficit.

The measure came amid the country’s worst economic crisis in a generation. Bolivia is running short of foreign currency, its once-abundant natural gas exports have declined sharply, fuel is scarce and inflation is at its highest level in 40 years.

The dollar shortage has made it difficult for the country to pay for fuel and other imports. The removal of subsidies added to fears of further price rises at a time when households were already struggling with the cost of living.

Paz later took steps to stabilise fuel prices and reverse unpopular land reforms, but the protests continued. Unions demanded wage increases and an end to the shortages of fuel and dollars, while several groups also called for the president to step down.

Who Is Protesting And Why Has The Crisis Continued?

The protest movement includes trade unions, Indigenous groups, coca farmers and rural associations, many of which have separate leaderships and demands.

This has made it difficult for the government to end the unrest through one agreement.

On Friday, Paz’s government reached a deal with the Bolivian Workers’ Central, or COB, one of the country’s largest unions. The government promised not to privatise state-owned companies and agreed to continue talks, while the union said it would end its protests.

However, rural and Indigenous organisations aligned with Morales were not part of those negotiations and continued their blockades. More than 40 major roadblocks were reportedly still in place when the emergency was declared.

Some protesters have said they will continue until Paz leaves office.

“We want him gone. We don’t want him to be the one governing," Lidia Callisaya, a leader from Bolivia’s Aymara Indigenous community, told AFP.

Why Did Paz Declare A State Of Emergency?

Paz said the blockades were no longer merely a social protest but an organised effort to destabilise Bolivia’s democracy. “There comes a moment when failing to act ceases to be prudence and becomes irresponsibility. And that moment has arrived," he said.

The president argued that the emergency was necessary to reopen roads and ensure access to work, education, healthcare and essential supplies.

“I have arranged for the implementation of the State of Exception to free the country’s roads," Paz said. “Bolivians cannot continue to be hostages of blockades that prevent working, studying, receiving medical attention, supplying themselves, and bringing sustenance to their homes."

Paz had previously said such a declaration would be used only as a last resort if dialogue failed.

“After exhausting all dialogue, after reaching agreements with those who had legitimate demands, and clearly identifying those who used violence to try and destabilize Bolivia, we have made the decision to enact a state of exception across all national territory," he said.

He also warned those continuing the blockades that they would face “the full force of the law".

What Role Is Evo Morales Playing?

Paz has accused Morales and groups he described as “narcoterrorists" of driving the road-blocking campaign.

Morales, who governed Bolivia from 2006 to 2019, remains influential among Indigenous communities, coca farmers and rural organisations, particularly in the Chapare region of central Bolivia.

He is in hiding while facing charges of alleged trafficking of a minor, which he denies. Thousands of supporters in Chapare have so far prevented the police from arresting him.

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo did not rule out an operation to capture Morales, saying security forces “will carry out whatever operations are necessary at the appropriate time".

Morales has backed the demonstrations and called for early elections, but denied organising the unrest. He told Reuters that the “indigenous rebellion" had been driven by economic hardship.

He separately told AFP that Bolivians were rebelling against a conservative government that was “utterly submissive" to the United States.

Why Is The Crisis Also A Political Turning Point?

Paz’s election marked the arrival of Bolivia’s first non-socialist government in two decades. He inherited a severe economic crisis after years of MAS rule and has moved towards market-oriented reforms and closer relations with Washington.

Ties between Bolivia and the United States had been strained since 2009. Paz has sought to rebuild that relationship and announced plans for a $1.5-billion economic cooperation agreement with US officials to help secure fuel supplies.

Washington has backed his handling of the blockades. A US State Department official said the country “strongly supports" Paz’s decision “to restore order and ensure the free flow of food, medicine, and essential supplies to the Bolivian people".

About the Author

Karishma Jain

Karishma Jain, Chief Sub Editor at News18.com, writes and edits opinion pieces on a variety of subjects, including Indian politics and policy, culture and the arts, technology and social change. Follo...Read More

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