Bolivia declares state of emergency amid ongoing protests

On June 20, 2026, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a 90-day state of emergency following 50 to 42 days of widespread civil unrest, roadblocks, and economic disruption. The decree authorizes the deployment of the military to assist police in restoring order and prohibits the road blockades that have paralyzed key cities, including La Paz, El Alto, and Cochabamba. This decision followed a signed agreement between the government and the COB, the country’s largest trade union confederation, which initially agreed to end protest actions. However, the agreement does not cover all protesting sectors, including indigenous organizations and coca farmers in Chapare, who remain defiant. While some roadblocks were being cleared by Saturday without reported incidents, leaders like Antonio Malku stated that other groups intend to harden their resistance, feeling betrayed by the COB leadership. The protesters are demanding the resignation of President Paz and opposing government measures intended to address the nation's worst economic crisis in four decades. President Paz justified the emergency measure by claiming he had exhausted all avenues for dialogue and needed to act against groups using violence to destabilize the country.