A day after President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency following weeks of protests in Bolivia, authorities announced that no active road barricades remain in the country.
State of Emergency Decree Approved
The state of emergency decree issued by Paz due to the protests was approved by the country's Legislative Assembly early on Sunday. The decree prohibits 'the blocking of streets, avenues, roads, and highways' in a manner affecting transportation and supply routes.
The decree also authorized the Bolivian armed forces to support the police in 'maintaining order, reopening roads, and protecting the population.'
Local Agreements with Protesters
The calm atmosphere observed on Sunday coincided with agreements reached with protesters on several key issues. The demonstrations demanding Paz's resignation began after he imposed austerity measures earlier this year, including cuts to fuel subsidies.
In Santa Cruz, authorities and protest leaders signed an agreement to remove a critical barricade in the town of San Julian.
A federation representing rural and Indigenous residents announced it was pausing protests in La Paz, while stating it had not abandoned its demands.
Impact of the Five-Week Crisis
Five weeks of road blockades left trucks stranded and cut off supplies of food, fuel, and medicine to many regions.
The Bolivian ombudsman's office and human rights organizations reported at least 17 deaths, with most linked to disruptions in medical care caused by the barricades.
According to authorities, violent clashes between demonstrators and riot police resulted in 365 arrests and 37 injuries.
Although the Bolivian National Highways Administration reported no active protest barricades on Sunday, it warned that many roads still require significant cleanup and repair.
Police and military units remained deployed on Sunday. Human rights observers warned that a harsh government response that fails to address underlying issues could increase unrest in the long term.
