Bolivian police clashed with farmers from the western Cochabamba region on June 10, 2026 [1], as protesters attempted to enter Plaza Murillo.
The unrest signals a deepening political crisis driven by food shortages and supply cuts, pitting the administration of President Rodrigo Paz against rural populations and former President Evo Morales.
President Paz said those who refuse to engage in dialogue will face the consequences, stating "les caerá la Constitución" [4]. To address the crisis, Paz announced a 50% reduction in salaries for himself and his ministers [4]. He said there are "narcoterroristas" within the movement [2].
In response to the instability, the government is moving toward a state of exception [5]. Reports on the timing of the decree vary; some sources indicate the state of exception has been promulgated [3], while others said it will be dictated in the coming hours [5]. This legal shift would allow the military to intervene in domestic security.
The Bolivian parliament is preparing to approve a law that authorizes the army to clear blocked roads by force [2]. While some reports suggest this law is still pending, police and military forces have already successfully cleared a critical route in La Paz to allow the passage of food supplies [6].
Former President Evo Morales has entered the fray, challenging the current mandatary. Morales said Paz "no se escapará" [3].
The protests are centered on demands for the end of the Paz administration, as farmers cite severe shortages, and the breakdown of supply chains, as the primary drivers for their mobilization [1, 2, 5].
“"les caerá la Constitución"”
The potential declaration of a state of exception marks a significant escalation in the Bolivian government's response to civil unrest. By authorizing the military to clear roadblocks and implementing drastic salary cuts, President Rodrigo Paz is attempting to project both fiscal austerity and firm authority. However, the explicit challenge from Evo Morales suggests that the unrest is not merely about supply shortages, but is a broader struggle for political legitimacy that could lead to prolonged instability.
