Clashes Erupt in Bolivia's Capital as Supporters of Ex-President Morales Protest

Bolivian security forces clashed with supporters of former President Evo Morales as they entered the capital as part of a nationwide wave of protests triggered by the South American nation's worst economic crisis in a generation.

After a six-day march across the Andes, thousands of Morales supporters, some carrying explosives and slingshots, converged on the capital La Paz on Monday (May 18), where they were met by riot police barricades.

The sound of explosives echoed through the city center. Security forces responded with tear gas, engulfing protesters who called for the president to resign after just six months in office. They chanted, "Fatherland or death, we shall win!"

The protests and road blockades, which began more than two weeks ago, have become the biggest challenge to President Rodrigo Paz, Bolivia's first conservative leader after nearly two decades of socialist rule, and have caused shortages across the country.

Paz took office last year as a wave of conservative leaders aligned with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump swept across Latin America. Inheriting the worst economic crisis in 40 years, he has struggled to replenish Bolivia's scarce fuel supplies, curb a massive budget deficit, and address a shortage of U.S. dollars, while trying to appease powerful groups linked to Morales that could disrupt his term.

In recent days, his government has reached agreements with striking miners and teachers, who agreed to end their protests. However, many groups continue to demonstrate.

Road blockades have long been a key weapon of social movements allied with Morales, who claim to represent Bolivia's rural indigenous majority. Over the past 16 days, these blockades have trapped thousands of trucks on major highways, causing shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies in La Paz and other cities.

The government has deployed police and military across the country to try to break the blockades over the weekend, leading to an unknown number of injuries and at least 90 arrests as of Monday, according to the public prosecutor.

"They can march peacefully, but we will act if they commit crimes," said Deputy Interior Minister Hernán Paredes.

Paz has accused Morales of organizing the unrest to undermine his administration, and the president has received support from neighboring countries.

Eight allied Latin American governments, from Argentina to Panama, issued a joint statement last week rejecting "any action aimed at destabilizing the democratic order."

The U.S. State Department also condemned the protests on Sunday, saying it supports Paz's efforts "to restore order for the peace, security, and stability of the Bolivian people."

At Paz's request, neighboring Argentina announced it would begin a week-long humanitarian airlift to ease domestic shortages.

Morales led the latest march from his hideout in a remote tropical region of Bolivia. He has been hiding in the highlands for the past year and a half, evading an arrest warrant related to allegations of a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl. Morales claims the charges are politically motivated.