President Rodrigo Paz declared a nationwide state of exception on Saturday, June 20, 2026, to end widespread road blockades and protests [2, 3, 4, 5].

The decree signals a significant escalation in the government's response to civil unrest. By militarizing the streets, the administration is prioritizing the restoration of transit and state control over the ongoing demonstrations that have paralyzed parts of the country.

The measure comes after 50 days of blockades and protests [4] where demonstrators have demanded the president's resignation. Paz said the police and military must clear the blocked roads to restore the flow of goods and people [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Beyond the logistical disruptions, Paz linked the unrest to political instability and targeted threats against his administration. He said that sectors linked to former president Evo Morales are attempting to destabilize the government [1, 4].

"Hay personas que quieren hacer un golpe de estado en mi contra," Paz said [1].

The president framed the military intervention as a necessity for national stability. He said that the government would take direct action to reopen the transit arteries of the nation.

"Vamos a liberar las carreteras del país," Paz said [1].

While some reports described the crisis as lasting several weeks [1], other records indicate the blockades persisted for 50 days [4] before the state of exception was enacted. The move allows the government to restrict certain civil liberties to maintain public order, and security.

“"Hay personas que quieren hacer un golpe de estado en mi contra"”

The declaration of a state of exception indicates that President Paz views the current protests not merely as civil disobedience, but as an existential threat to his administration. By explicitly mentioning coup attempts and referencing Evo Morales, the government is framing the road blockades as part of a broader political struggle for power rather than a simple policy dispute. The use of military force to clear roads often increases short-term stability but can deepen political polarization and lead to further unrest if the underlying demands for resignation are not addressed.