A Month of Protests in Bolivia: Key Points for Understanding the Crisis in the Altiplano

Protests that began in May with a workers’ strike in Bolivia have escalated into a nationwide shutdown featuring roadblocks—a common tactic of Bolivia’s social movements—organized by unions, teachers, miners, indigenous organizations, and social movements, with demands primarily related to the economy. Teachers, for example, were demanding pay raises; miners opposed the privatization of lithium. But today, what is heard in the streets is the demand for the resignation of right-wing President Rodrigo Paz. 

Bolivia’s Chamber of Deputies then approved on Sunday, the 7th, the Law on the Regulation of States of Emergency, which expands the president’s powers to declare a state of emergency and restrict freedom of assembly and movement. With this measure, President Rodrigo Paz will be able to authorize, for a period of up to 90 days, the use of the Armed Forces to suppress the demonstrations that have been taking place in the country for 39 days. During the protests, three people died and 37 were injured in clashes with the police. This LATFEM report in Spanish explains the conflict.