Protests demanding the resignation of Bolivia's centre-right President Rodrigo Paz escalated on Monday, marked by violent clashes between police and protesters, road blockades, and incidents of looting in the capital La Paz, according to AFP.
Police Use Tear Gas as Protesters Storm Government Buildings
Riot police deployed tear gas for hours to disperse demonstrators attempting to storm government buildings. Streets were engulfed in smoke, shops remained shut, and supply routes into the capital were disrupted due to ongoing blockades choking access. Demonstrators swarmed government buildings as supplies ran low because of disrupted routes. Authorities reported no official injuries, though AFP observed at least two injured protesters, and television reports indicated over 100 people had been detained.
Widespread Unrest Led by Farmers, Miners, and Indigenous Groups
The protests, led by farmers, miners, teachers, workers, and Indigenous groups, have persisted for weeks, demanding wage increases, economic stability, and an end to the privatisation of state-owned companies. The unrest unfolds amid Bolivia's worst economic crisis in four decades, with inflation reaching 14% year-on-year in April. The Andean nation also faces fuel and supply shortages, with authorities previously airlifting food into the capital due to blocked highways.
While calm partially returned by Monday evening, tensions remained high in La Paz, where protesters accused President Paz of mismanagement. “We want him to resign because he's incompetent. Bolivia is going through a moment of chaos,” 60-year-old farmer Ivan Alarcon told AFP.
Clashes Intensify; Arrest Warrant Issued for Union Leader
Earlier in the day, riot police blocked miners from entering the city's main square, where government buildings are located, while protesters responded with stones and explosives. Separately, the public prosecutor issued an arrest warrant for Mario Argollo, secretary-general of Bolivia's largest union COB, accusing him of terrorism and inciting crime. Attorney General Roger Mariaca confirmed the warrant was “in the hands of the general command of the Bolivian Police.” The COB has also joined calls for President Paz's resignation.
Supporters of Former President Evo Morales Join Protests
Supporters of former President Evo Morales, who governed from 2006 to 2019, also joined the protests, marching into La Paz from Oruro after a seven-day march. The government has accused Morales-aligned groups of fuelling unrest, while Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza alleged they sought to destabilise the administration. Morales, in hiding since 2024 in the Chapare coca-growing region, expressed solidarity with protesters on social media, calling union leaders victims of “brutal persecution.”
Humanitarian Corridor Announced Amid Shortages
Road blockades have left the capital facing shortages, prompting the government to announce a temporary humanitarian corridor and earlier efforts to open blocked highways for limited hours. At least 32 roadblocks were reported across the country, officials said. One protester died during earlier clashes on Saturday after falling into a ditch, according to authorities.
