Bolivia: Rodrigo Paz Faces Social Crisis as Farmers Confirm Strikes and Roadblockades Despite ‘Hardline’ Approach

Original article: Bolivia: Rodrigo Paz intenta apagar la crisis social con “mano dura”, pero campesinos confirman paro y bloqueos

Bolivia is experiencing escalating tensions after the administration of Rodrigo Paz announced a strong «hardline» policy to curb social protests, while Aymara farmers from various provinces in La Paz reaffirmed their intentions to continue an indefinite strike and roadblockades.

Following an assembly held in El Alto, protesters reiterated their primary demand: the immediate resignation of the right-wing president, whose administration has triggered a social and economic crisis, leading to an unsustainable rise in basic service costs, severely impacting citizens’ quality of life.

The blockades of key routes into the country and the road connecting to Peru have persisted for the past two weeks, disrupting transportation and supply chains.

From El Alto, TeleSUR correspondent Freddy Morales reported that urban transport unions in the city announced their support for the indefinite strike, joining the roadblockades. This action responds to unmet previous agreements with the government and seeks to back the demands of the Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) and local neighborhood committees, which saw massive participation in mobilizations on Monday.

Rodrigo Paz Implements ‘Hardline’ Measures to Suppress Protests

On that day, a march by Aymara farmers, social organizations from El Alto, and supporters of the COB reached Bolivia’s capital with the slogan demanding Paz’s resignation. While attempting to advance towards Murillo Plaza, protesters were met with force from security forces using tear gas, resulting in 124 arrests.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office stated that 95 of those detained have already been released, though tensions remain high. Meanwhile, the Minister of Government, Marco Antonio Oviedo, warned of a «hardline» approach against any actions deemed attempts to destabilize democratic order, tightening the rhetoric of the Rodrigo Paz administration in light of growing social discontent.

The government’s reaction also included judicial measures. The Prosecutor’s Office issued an arrest warrant for the executive secretary of the COB, Mario Argollo, accused of instigating public delinquency, terrorism, and other crimes due to his involvement in the protests.

According to TeleSUR, Argollo remains in hiding to evade capture, while protests continue to be led by the COB, the Federation of Mining Workers of Bolivia (FSTMB), peasant organizations, and factions linked to former president Evo Morales. The city of La Paz has turned into the epicenter of roadblockades.

Beyond political slogans, the protests reflect a growing discontent linked to economic deterioration, high living costs, and the direction the government has taken. While Rodrigo Paz opts for repression and the judicial pursuit of social leader, Aymara farmers insist that the strike and blockades will not cease until the president steps down.

*Featured Image: FIDE News Agency