President Rodrigo Paz of Bolivia warned protesters on Wednesday that the national crisis is reaching its limit and urged an immediate return to dialogue.
The warning follows nearly a month of civil unrest that has paralyzed key transit routes. These blockades have triggered critical shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, threatening the stability of the government seat in La Paz and the neighboring city of El Alto.
Speaking on May 27, Paz said the country needs order and that the current situation is reaching its limit [1]. The president's remarks came one day [3] after Congress approved a state of exception to curb the protests [2]. This legislative move authorizes military intervention to clear roads and restore public order.
The unrest has now entered its fourth week [1]. Protesters have focused their efforts in El Alto, which serves as the epicenter of the demonstrations. The resulting blockades have cut off primary supply lines to the capital, exacerbating the scarcity of essential goods.
Despite the authorization of military force, Paz continues to call for a negotiated settlement. He said the government remains open to dialogue to resolve the grievances driving the demonstrations, though he emphasized that the disruption of basic services cannot continue indefinitely.
Government officials have not specified the exact duration of the state of exception. However, the deployment of security forces is intended to ensure that humanitarian supplies can reach affected populations in La Paz and surrounding areas.
“The country needs order and this is reaching the limit”
The invocation of a state of exception and the authorization of military intervention signal a shift from political negotiation to security-led enforcement. By framing the crisis as having reached its 'limit,' the Paz administration is establishing a justification for escalating force if blockades are not lifted, balancing the need for public order against the risk of further inciting the protesters in El Alto.
