Bolivia Declares State of Emergency, Authorises Military to Clear Blockades
Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency on Saturday, June 20, 2026, granting expanded powers to deploy the military to remove road blockades that have disrupted the country for 50 days. The announcement came hours after unveiling a tentative agreement with the main union, the Bolivian Workers' Confederation, aimed at reducing tensions.
The crisis began when President Paz abruptly ended long-standing fuel subsidies to reduce the deficit, amid a worsening dollar shortage and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. Subsequent measures to stabilise fuel prices and reverse unpopular land reforms failed to quell protests, which evolved into broader demands for wage increases, an end to fuel and dollar shortages, and the president's resignation.
Protesters, many allied with former leftist President Evo Morales, have blocked key highways, stranding trucks and disrupting supplies of food, fuel, and medicines to major cities, including the capital La Paz. The state of emergency gives President Paz constitutional authority to deploy armed forces to clear blockades and restore order.
