Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced a cabinet reshuffle on Wednesday amid weeks of protests against his government. The announcement was made during a press conference as the right-wing leader faces calls to resign.
“We need to reorganize a cabinet capable of listening,” Paz told reporters. Bolivia is experiencing its worst economic crisis in decades, primarily driven by controversial economic restructuring measures, including cuts to fuel subsidies.
Since taking office in November 2025, the new government has faced a wave of criticism from farmers, miners, and teachers. Thousands have taken to the streets to protest Paz’s free-market policies. Clashes with riot police occurred in the capital La Paz earlier this week.
“We will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on social media, declaring Washington’s support for “the legitimate constitutional government of Bolivia.” However, the opposition argues that criminal charges against former President Evo Morales are a tactic to remove him from political life.
Tensions have also escalated on the diplomatic front, with Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry announcing the expulsion of Colombia’s ambassador after President Gustavo Petro described the protests as a “people’s uprising.” “If they expel an ambassador just for proposing dialogue and reconciliation, it means we are sliding toward extremism,” President Petro responded.
President Paz came to power marking the return of the right-wing after nearly 20 years of rule by the Socialist Movement (MAS). While acknowledging public grievances, his administration views the protests as dangerous and anti-democratic.
