President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency on June 15, 2024, to authorize security forces to remove roadblocks across Bolivia [1, 2].
The move comes as the government seeks to restore order after nearly two months of protests that have disrupted the national economy and daily life. The administration views the prolonged gridlock as a coordinated effort to undermine the democratic system and threaten public stability [1, 2].
The emergency decree specifically empowers security forces to clear blockades in major cities where protesters have halted traffic [1, 2]. This escalation follows a period of increasing violence associated with the unrest, with reports indicating at least 14 deaths [1, 2].
"The state of emergency gives our security forces the authority to clear roadblocks that have crippled daily life for nearly two months," Paz said [2].
The president framed the protests not as civil expression, but as a direct threat to the state. He said that the government cannot allow the blockades to continue because they represent an attack on the well-being of the Bolivian people [2].
"We cannot allow these blockades to continue; they are an attack on our democracy and the well‑being of the Bolivian people," Paz said [2].
The deployment of security forces to clear these areas marks a significant shift in the government's approach to the crisis. By utilizing emergency powers, the administration is prioritizing the restoration of transit and economic flow over the protesters' right to maintain blockades [1, 2].
“"The state of emergency gives our security forces the authority to clear roadblocks..."”
The declaration of a state of emergency signals a transition from political negotiation to forced enforcement. By framing the roadblocks as an attack on democracy rather than a political grievance, the Paz administration is justifying the use of state force to resolve an economic crisis. This move risks further escalating tensions between the government and protest movements, potentially leading to more casualties if security forces encounter heavy resistance while clearing the blockades.
