Bolivian police used tear gas and force to disperse anti-government protesters in La Paz on May 14, 2024 [1].

The unrest signals a critical escalation in domestic instability as the government struggles to manage a severe shortage of U.S. dollars and falling domestic energy production.

The clashes occurred near the Government Palace and Plaza Murillo, where miners and other union workers gathered to demand the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz [2]. Police deployed tear gas to break up the crowds, while reports indicated that protesters used dynamite and caused explosions during the confrontations [3].

President Rodrigo Paz has been in office for six months [4]. His short tenure has been marked by a worsening economic climate that has fueled public anger. Protesters specifically cited the fuel crisis and the lack of foreign currency as primary drivers for their demonstrations [5].

The use of dynamite by miners is a recurring tactic in Bolivian social unrest, often used to intimidate security forces and draw national attention to labor grievances. This latest surge of violence reflects the desperation of workers facing the effects of the energy shortage [2].

Authorities have not provided a full accounting of injuries resulting from the May 14 clashes, but the deployment of force underscores the volatility of the current political environment [3].

“Police fired tear-gas and used force to disperse protesters who were demanding President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation.”

The clashes highlight a precarious moment for the Bolivian administration, where economic mismanagement—specifically the depletion of foreign reserves and energy failures—is translating into physical instability. The involvement of powerful mining unions suggests that the opposition is organized and capable of disrupting the capital, increasing the likelihood of further civil unrest if the fuel and currency crises are not resolved.