Paz says road blockades 'defeated,' Bolivia 'has to be ordered'

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced that the extensive road blockades have been "defeated" and confirmed the continuation of a state of exception. He stated the country "has to be ordered" to prevent a recurrence of the disruptions that lasted for more than six weeks.

“

The blockade has been defeated, it cannot return to the country, and what remains for us is to build, to develop a country where all Bolivians feel they have the opportunity to grow.

"The blockade has been defeated, it cannot return to the country, and what remains for us is to build, to develop a country where all Bolivians feel they have the opportunity to grow," Paz told reporters in La Paz. He emphasized that the state of exception remains in place because "there are many things to order." The blockades, initiated on May 6 by peasant federations and the Bolivian Workers' Center (COB), gained support from sectors loyal to former President Evo Morales, demanding Paz's resignation after seven months in government.

“

Bolivia has to be ordered because what has happened these last 50 days cannot be repeated, and this state of exception is the legal instrument that allows us to order the country.

The prolonged conflict led to severe shortages of food, fuel, and medical oxygen in several cities. It resulted in at least 16 deaths, with 13 attributed to delayed medical attention caused by the blockades. Economic losses were estimated at over $3 billion. After seven weeks, Paz decreed a state of exception to clear the roads, a measure later approved by the legislature.

“

With the joy of communicating that our Bus Terminal is back in operation (...) Currently, we have all our roads clear. Likewise, we have our departures operating normally.

Since Saturday, police and military forces have been deployed to remove blockades. On Tuesday, no road blockades were reported, as the cocalero groups aligned with Morales, the last remaining protesting sector, announced a pause in their actions. This allowed for the resumption of land travel, with the La Paz Bus Terminal reopening after approximately 50 days. While travel is normalizing, some residents noted that scarcity of products persists within cities.

“

We are grateful that things are returning to normal. Of course, there are still some things that are not totally normal within the city due to all the scarcity of products that still exists.