On June 21, Bolivian officials reported no active road blockades across the country, just one day after President Rodrigo Paz signed a decree declaring a state of emergency to counter weeks of anti-government protests.
On June 20, Bolivia’s Congress approved President Paz’s decree, which bans “the blocking of streets, avenues, roads, and highways that affect traffic and supply.” The decree also authorizes the armed forces to assist police “in restoring order, reopening routes, and protecting citizens.”
The signs of stabilization over the weekend coincided with some breakthroughs in negotiations with protesters. The protests erupted after President Paz implemented austerity measures, including cutting fuel subsidies earlier this year, prompting people to take to the streets demanding his resignation.
In Santa Cruz, authorities and protest leaders signed an agreement to remove a key blockade in the town of San Julian. A federation of groups representing rural and indigenous people also announced a pause in protests in La Paz, while emphasizing they have not abandoned their demands.
The five weeks of road blockades left thousands of trucks stranded, disrupting the supply of food, fuel, and medicine to many areas. According to Bolivia’s ombudsman’s office and human rights organizations, at least 17 people have died, with many cases linked to disrupted medical care due to blockades. Clashes between protesters and riot police resulted in 365 arrests and 37 injuries, according to officials.
Although Bolivia’s national highway authority confirmed no blockades are active, it warned that many roads still require significant cleaning and repairs. However, human rights observers cautioned that the government’s tough response, if it fails to address core issues, could escalate long-term instability. Police and military forces remained deployed on the ground on June 21.
