Bolivian security forces clear road blockades amid mass protests

On Friday, Bolivian police and military forces cleared a key road south of La Paz, which had been blocked by protesters for weeks. These blockades by farmers and workers have caused significant shortages of food, medicine, and essential goods in La Paz, El Alto, and other regions including Cochabamba, Oruro, and Potosi. The protests, which have lasted over a month, are calling for the resignation of center-right President Rodrigo Paz, who has been in office for six months. President Paz is currently seeking parliamentary approval to declare a state of emergency, which would grant him the authority to deploy military units to clear remaining barricades across the country. Following the operation, President Paz visited the site accompanied by his newly appointed Defense Minister, Ernesto Justiniano. While the president maintains he prefers dialogue over confrontation, the situation remains tense. Meanwhile, the United States has officially pledged its support for the embattled president. Local residents had previously been forced to walk long distances to access rural communities for supplies.