Bolivia Enacts State of Emergency Amid Supply Blockades
WHO:
BBC News - President Rodrigo Paz has attempted to defuse protests by reshuffling his cabinet and slashing his salary and that of his ministers in half.
ABC News - President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency.
ABC News - The protests are backed by workers' unions, farmers, and supporters of former President Evo Morales.
AP News - Bolivia’s ombudsman’s office and human rights organizations reported on the situation.
CNN - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth commented on the crisis.
WHAT:
CNN - President Paz stated, “Bolivians cannot continue to be hostages of blockades that prevent working, studying, receiving medical attention, supplying themselves, and bringing sustenance to their homes.”
CNN - The unrest first erupted in May after Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to shrink the deficit.
ABC News - President Paz declared a state of emergency to empower the military to remove road blockades.
ABC News - The protests have led to at least 365 arrests and 37 injuries.
ABC News - At least 17 people have died due to a lack of medical care caused by transportation disruptions.
ABC News - The state of emergency will last 90 days but could be lifted earlier if violence ends.
CNN - The unrest has caused shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies, grinding the economy to a halt.
WHERE:
ABC News - The state of emergency affects Bolivia's seat of government and other major cities, particularly isolating La Paz.
CNN - The protests and blockades are occurring across all national territory in Bolivia.
WHEN:
ABC News - President Paz declared the state of emergency on Saturday.
CNN - The protests have been ongoing for approximately 50 days.
WHY:
CNN - Unions are demanding wage increases and an end to fuel and dollar shortages.
ABC News - The protests are in response to austerity measures, including the cancellation of fuel subsidies.
CNN - The unrest first erupted after Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to shrink the deficit, amid a low foreign currency situation and high inflation.
HOW:
BBC News - President Paz announced the creation of a council to negotiate with sectors of society which feel isolated under his government.
ABC News - The decree prohibits blocking streets and highways and orders the armed forces to support police in restoring order.
CNN - President Paz stated that the state of emergency aims to free the country’s roads and restore normalcy.
(UPDATED June 20, 2026 19:20 UTC)
President Rodrigo Paz is taking steps to address ongoing protests by reshuffling his cabinet and cutting his own salary, as well as that of his ministers, in half. He emphasized that “Bolivians cannot continue to be hostages of blockades that prevent working, studying, receiving medical attention, supplying themselves, and bringing sustenance to their homes,” following unrest that began in May after he reduced long-standing fuel subsidies. To further engage with the public, President Paz has announced the creation of a council aimed at negotiating with various sectors of society that feel marginalized by his administration.
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(UPDATED June 20, 2026 17:22 UTC)
President Paz has declared a state of emergency in Bolivia, empowering the military to remove road blockades amid ongoing protests that have lasted for approximately 50 days. The unrest, which has resulted in at least 365 arrests and 37 injuries, is fueled by opposition to austerity measures, including the cancellation of fuel subsidies, and has led to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies. The state of emergency will last for 90 days but could be lifted earlier if violence subsides, as the decree prohibits blocking streets and highways while ordering the armed forces to assist police in restoring order.