Bolivia Crisis Eases as Roadblocks Clear, But Jet Crash Claims Six Lives

Bolivia experienced fragile progress on Sunday as major protest roadblocks, which had paralyzed the country for weeks, were cleared for the first time in 50 days. This development offered a glimmer of hope in resolving a protracted social crisis. President Rodrigo Paz had declared a state of emergency to restore transit and ensure the supply of essential goods, authorizing increased military deployment to dismantle the blockades and prohibiting further road obstructions.

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The country’s highways authority revises its tally of ongoing roadblocks to 28 after a series of breakthroughs with protesters

The Legislative Assembly overwhelmingly approved Paz's emergency decree, coinciding with several breakthroughs. In Santa Cruz, officials and protest leaders reached an agreement to lift a critical blockade in the town of San Julian. Additionally, the prominent Tupac Katari campesino federation in La Paz announced a pause in its protests, though it maintained its demands for economic relief, repeal of government decrees, political and labor protections, and actions related to fuel quality.

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the group’s demands ​still stood

However, the day was overshadowed by tragedy when an air force jet crashed while on an assistance flight from El Alto to Cochabamba. The Cessna FAB-409, found in a remote Andean mountain area, killed all four civilians and two crew members aboard. The defense ministry confirmed the crash but did not specify the cause. The aircraft had recently been used to transport children with cancer to treatment centers during the blockades.

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killed all four civilians and two crew members aboard

The unrest initially erupted in response to Paz's decision to slash long-standing fuel subsidies to reduce the budget deficit, amid a deepening dollar crunch and ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund. Despite subsequent efforts to stabilize fuel prices and reverse unpopular land reforms, protests intensified. Unions demanded wage increases, an end to fuel and dollar shortages, and Paz's resignation. Former President Evo Morales noted on social media that the Tropic of Cochabamba region was experiencing power outages, communication disruptions, and banking restrictions.

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the Tropic of Chochabama, a tropical agricultural region in central Bolivia and a political stronghold for his movement, was experiencing power outages, disruptions to telephone service, and restrictions on banking services.