Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has taken steps towards potentially declaring a state of emergency as anti-government protests intensify in the early months of his administration.
An emergency declaration would allow him to deploy military forces to the streets in an effort to contain the unrest. The move follows a decision to repeal limits on the executive’s use of emergency powers, approved by Congress and signed into law on Wednesday.
Any formal declaration, however, would still require legislative backing.
The unrest, driven by union leaders and supporters of former president Evo Morales, has centred on demands to reverse austerity measures and address rising living costs.
Demonstrations and roadblocks, now stretching close to a month, have disrupted supply chains and triggered shortages of food, fuel and medicine in major urban areas, including La Paz and El Alto.
Speaking to journalists ahead of talks with community leaders and industry representatives, Paz said he preferred dialogue but made clear that he was prepared to act.
“I have constitutional instruments. Time is running out,” he said. “I have to respond, I have to come up with solutions.”
Opposition figures have warned that deploying troops could worsen the situation. Lawmaker Sonia Siñani cautioned against escalation, saying: “We are pouring gasoline on the fire.”
Paz took office in November, ending nearly two decades of rule by the leftist Movement Toward Socialism, founded by Morales, and now faces one of the most serious challenges of his presidency.
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