Overview
- The Bolivian Highway Administration reported Friday that about 51 road blockade points were active across seven departments, leaving La Paz largely isolated and stopping deliveries of essential goods.
- The unrest began after President Rodrigo Paz removed long‑standing fuel subsidies, which doubled prices and provoked reports of adulterated fuel that damaged vehicles and inflamed transport and rural sectors.
- Protests led by miners, teachers, transport workers and Indigenous groups have escalated into calls for Paz’s resignation and have used tactics such as road blockades, small dynamite detonations and occupations.
- The government has announced ministerial changes and proposed an Economic and Social Council while accusing protesters of seeking institutional destabilization before the OAS; the United States has publicly backed Paz and the Catholic Church has offered to mediate.
- Health authorities say at least four people have died after being unable to reach care because of blockades, hospitals report oxygen and medicine shortages, and analysts warn the standoff risks deeper humanitarian pain and longer damage to governability and the economy.