Bolivia declares state of exception to clear road blockades amid 'coup' claims

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has declared a state of exception, aiming to dismantle road blockades that have paralyzed the country for seven weeks. The protests, primarily driven by peasant sectors and loyalists of former President Evo Morales, have significantly disrupted daily life, preventing citizens from working, studying, and accessing essential goods and medical care.

Paz announced the measure via social media and a televised address, stating its purpose is to "free the country's roads." He emphasized that the state of exception is intended not to suppress freedoms but to restore normalcy for all Bolivians. This decision follows a recently signed agreement with the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) aimed at pacifying the nation, an accord that was rejected by other key protesting groups, including peasant unions from La Paz and Morales' supporters.

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I have ordered the application of the State of Exception to free the country's roads. Bolivians can no longer be held hostage by blockades that prevent them from working, studying, receiving medical attention, supplying themselves, and bringing sustenance to their homes.

The president asserted that Bolivians should not be held "hostage" by these blockades. The measure is designed to ensure the free movement of people and goods, allowing for the resumption of normal economic and social activities. The government's move signals a firm stance against the prolonged disruptions, prioritizing the restoration of order and essential services.

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This measure does not aim to remove normalcy, but to return it.