La Paz, 20 June (H.S.): Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Saturday declared a nationwide state of emergency until further notice as weeks of anti-government protests and road blockades continue to paralyse the South American nation.

According to Türkiye's state-run Anadolu Agency and other media reports, the demonstrations—led by labour unions, farmers' organisations and supporters of former President Evo Morales—have intensified, with protesters demanding President Paz's resignation. The unrest has been fuelled by soaring inflation, mounting economic pressures, a worsening fuel shortage and the rising cost of living.

The prolonged road blockades have triggered severe shortages of food, fuel and medicines across several parts of the country. Economic activity has been significantly disrupted for nearly 50 days, affecting trade, transportation and supply chains nationwide.

In a televised address to the nation, President Paz announced that he had ordered the implementation of a State of Exception to restore the free movement of traffic across the country.

The people of Bolivia cannot remain hostages to road blockades that prevent them from working, studying, accessing healthcare, obtaining essential goods and receiving food supplies at their homes, he said.

The President stated that the emergency measures would empower the military and police to restore public order and normalise transportation and essential services nationwide. He accused certain organised groups of attempting to paralyse the country through violent tactics.

Paz said the government had held several rounds of talks with protest leaders and had sought to address their legitimate demands through negotiations. However, with no improvement in the situation, the government was left with no option but to impose emergency rule.

Last month, President Paz signed legislation authorising the armed forces to intervene in internal conflicts. At the time, however, he had maintained that imposing a state of emergency would be a measure of last resort.

Having assumed office just seven months ago, the centrist leader is confronting one of the most severe economic crises in Bolivia's recent history. A shortage of foreign currency reserves, declining natural gas exports, inflation at its highest level in four decades and an acute fuel crisis have placed his administration under mounting pressure.

The current crisis escalated in May after the government reduced long-standing fuel subsidies as part of efforts to narrow the fiscal deficit, triggering a fresh wave of nationwide protests.

Besides demanding the President's resignation, labour unions are also calling for higher wages, adequate fuel supplies and measures to address the country's shortage of US dollars.

Political analysts believe the unrest has evolved beyond an economic crisis into a broader political confrontation, with potentially far-reaching consequences for Bolivia.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar