Bolivia’s Congress has passed a bill allowing newly elected President Paz to declare a state of emergency, giving him the power to send in military forces to quell ongoing protests and blockades. This legislation repeals a former law that restricted executive use of emergency orders for military intervention in protests. This policy change comes after prolonged protests demanding Paz’s resignation. Protestors have blockaded hundreds of streets in La Paz and El Alto, causing food and gas shortages while disrupting public transportation and schools. While pressure mounts for President Paz to restore normalcy, many fear that soldiers confronting protesters will increase violence and further destabilize civil order.

The bill has received mixed reactions from political leaders and civilians. Opposition lawmaker Sonia Siñani, a representative of the Aymara party, warned, “We are pouring gasoline on the fire” in reference to the possibility of military force against the protests. On Bolivia’s Mother’s Day, May 27th, thousands of women, primarily Indigenous, took to the streets to protest the legislation. Organizations, including the Bartolina Sisa confederation and Bolivia’s leading union for rural women, released a communiqué calling for the withdrawal of sons serving in the military: “We have sent them to serve their country, not kill their fathers, mothers, brothers, uncles, and grandparents.” Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the unrest as a “popular insurrection” and a “struggle for Latin American dignity.” In response, Bolivia’s foreign ministry expelled the Colombian ambassador. The United States, with which Paz has worked to reestablish relations, defended the legislation as necessary “to restore order for peace, security and stability of the Bolivian people.” The U.S.-backed coalition, “Shield of the Americas”, composed largely of center- and right-leaning Latin American and Caribbean governments, released a statement condemning “any action aimed at destabilizing the democratic order.” Meanwhile, Argentina announced a week-long humanitarian airlift to provide relief to residents facing shortages in major cities.

The bill, which expands the executive branch’s authority to deploy military force and declare a state of emergency, represents an escalation that could lead to further violence. While Paz and his supporters have expressed a preference for dialogue over confrontation, the government’s actions suggest preparations for a more forceful response. The protests are driven by several issues, including a land reform proposal affecting small-scale farms, the elimination of fuel subsidies, and the exclusion of Indigenous communities from political decision-making. The blockades have severely limited access to food, water, employment, education, and emergency services in La Paz and El Alto. Introducing military forces into these densely populated cities would likely increase the risk of civilian harm. While President Paz has stated that declaring a state of emergency is an option of last resort, the passage of the bill signals what may unfold in the months ahead. However, I believe a non-violent solution could entail the descalation of both sides, where if concessions are made by the government, the blockades will be deconstructed, and the cities returned to normal.
Before President Paz was elected six months ago, Bolivia had been governed by the same party for two decades, the Movement Toward Socialism, also known as MAS. During this time, indigenous groups, rural farmers, and the working class had extraordinary political inclusion and significant social benefits. However, a sharp economic decline and inflation reaching 25%, change was imminent. MAS, at the same time, was splintering as former President Morales attempted an illegal 4th term. This drove many former MAS supporters to back President Paz, who was a senator presenting himself as a centrist while facing off with a far-right opponent. Once assumed office, President Paz alienated many of his supporters almost immediately by filling his cabinet with conservative businessmen, leaving indigenous people, labor, and agrarian sectors unrepresented. President Paz also abolished a wealth tax and passed a land classification law, but eventually rolled it back due to the protests. While concessions have been made in an attempt to calm tempers, the protests continue as it reflects a deeper frustration with the institution and a shared belief that the government does not care about the needs and lives of many Bolivians.

As protests continue, President Paz’s path is seemingly more and more clear, highlighted by the passing of the bill that loosens the restrictions on military action against protestors. Unless an agreement is made between the protestors and the government, President Paz appears to be ready to use force to quell the unrest. This could throw both of the largest metro areas of Bolivia into chaos as protestors and the military could clash in highly dense populated areas. In order to maintain peace and order in the areas, President Paz must continue to listen to the people of Bolivia and repair relations with the working class and the Indigenous.