Bolivia rejects state of emergency amid protest violence
by Macarena Hermosilla · UPIMay 19 (UPI) -- Bolivia's government has ruled out declaring a state of emergency, despite escalating violence linked to nationwide protests that have left dozens injured and detained while causing multimillion-dollar losses through road blockades across the country.
Presidential spokesman José Luis Gálvez and Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo said Tuesday imposing the constitutional measure would deepen social polarization.
According to authorities, a state of emergency could allow protest groups to portray themselves as political victims and gain sympathy through domestic and international public opinion.
"There is no possibility of a state of emergency. We are not going to do it because this problem is concentrated here in La Paz," Oviedo told a local radio station. "Therefore, we are going to take tough and strict measures. We will increase the presence of police and armed forces in the city and in parts of El Alto."
Media press said violence and chaos engulfed downtown La Paz on Monday. Thousands of demonstrators and supporters of former President Evo Morales marched from El Alto and attempted to break through police barricades to enter Plaza Murillo in La Paz, demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
The clashes included the use of dynamite and high-powered firecrackers against security forces, which responded with tear gas and other chemical agents. The unrest ended with severe damage to public buildings, burned vehicles and more than 95 arrests.
At the same time, Bolivia's Highway Administration, known as ABC, reported seeing more than 40 blockade points across six of the country's departments, or administrative regions, leaving Bolivia nearly cut off internally.
More than 130 fuel tanker trucks remain stranded on highways, creating additional shortages of diesel and gasoline. Local hospitals declared emergencies because of shortages of medical oxygen and basic supplies.
Instead of restricting constitutional rights through emergency powers, Paz's government decided on an operational containment strategy that includes a humanitarian corridor coordinated with neighboring countries such as Argentina, Chile and Ecuador. The plan seeks to establish secure air and land routes for food and fuel supplies to enter.
Authorities also announced stricter legal action against protest leaders, including charges related to vandalism and political destabilization.
The demonstrations, organized by the Central Obrera Boliviana, or COB, Bolivia's main labor union federation, entered their third week amid wage demands and opposition to a package of economic reforms promoted by the government.
The protests also reflect deeper political disputes. The administration has accused sectors linked to former President Evo Morales of encouraging violent actions and seeking the government's removal through undemocratic means.
"They do not have a serious proposal. They want to return to power through violence," Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora said.
Bolivian business organizations expressed deep concern and unanimously demanded what they called "absolute firmness" from the government in clearing highways, warning the country is nearing institutional and economic collapse.
Gary Rodríguez, general manager of the Bolivian Institute of Foreign Trade, known as IBCE, said economic losses accumulated over slightly more than 10 days of blockades already have surpassed $500 million. Meanwhile, the National Chamber of Commerce estimated losses at more than $50 million per day nationwide, La Razón reported.
Amid the growing crisis, Vice President Edmand Lara calling in an open latter for immediate national dialogue without preconditions. The appeal seeks to open a path toward political negotiations and halt street violence before shortages trigger a humanitarian collapse in Bolivia's main urban centers.