Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency on Saturday after weeks of anti-government protests against rising costs of living and economic pressures escalated into an escalating political crisis.
Protests backed by trade unions, farmers and supporters of former President Evo Morales are demanding Paz’s resignation. Roadblocks have caused food, fuel and medicine shortages in some parts of the country, bringing the economy to a standstill over the past 50 days.
“I have arranged for the implementation of an exception that will make the country’s roads free,” Paz said in an address to the nation. “Bolivians cannot continue to be hostage to a lockdown that prevents them from working, studying, receiving medical care, replenishing food supplies, and bringing food into their homes.”
The president said the move would pave the way for the military and police to restore order.
Paz said the state of emergency was aimed at “returning” Bolivia to normality, adding that “organized groups continue to use violence to paralyze the country.”
Last month, Mr Paz signed a law allowing the military to intervene in internal conflicts, but had previously said a state of emergency would be his last option if talks failed.
“After exhausting all dialogues, reaching agreements with those with legitimate demands, and clearly identifying those who sought to use violence to destabilize Bolivia, we have taken the decision to establish a state of exception throughout the country,” President Paz said in a speech on Saturday.
Mr Pass, a centrist, took office seven months ago and inherited the worst economic crisis in a generation, prompting an end to nearly two decades of left-wing rule. His election marked a historic change for the South American country, which has been ruled almost continuously by the Bolivian Socialist Movement (MAS) since 2006.
Mr. Pass has sought to strengthen diplomatic ties with Washington, which have been strained since 2009, and in September announced plans to strike a $1.5 billion economic cooperation deal with U.S. officials to secure fuel supplies.
The current unrest first erupted in May after Mr Paz cut long-standing fuel subsidies to reduce the budget deficit. Bolivia’s crisis-hit economy is low on foreign currency, its once-rich natural gas exports have plummeted, inflation is at its highest in 40 years and fuel is scarce.
In addition to the president’s resignation, unions are demanding higher wages and an end to fuel and dollar shortages.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
