United News of Bangladesh

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz on Saturday declared a 90-day state of emergency, granting the military broad powers to remove road blockades that have severely disrupted fuel and food supplies in the country's administrative capital, La Paz, and other major cities. The move comes after five weeks of protests demanding Paz's resignation over austerity measures, including the elimination of fuel subsidies, and other grievances. The demonstrations have sparked violent clashes between protesters and riot police, resulting in at least 365 arrests and 37 injuries, according to authorities. At least 17 people have died during the unrest, most of them due to a lack of medical care caused by transport disruptions, according to Bolivia's ombudsman's office and human rights groups. Road blockades on key highways have effectively isolated La Paz, leading to shortages of fuel and food, disrupting transportation and preventing patients from accessing medical treatment. The government said at least seven people had died because they were unable to receive timely medical attention. In a televised address, Paz said the emergency measures were intended to restore normal life and guarantee access to essential supplies. "This is not a state of emergency to restrict people's lives. It is a state of emergency to give people back their freedom," he said. As the protests continued, businesses shut down, supermarket shelves emptied and hospitals reportedly ran short of oxygen supplies, prompting growing calls for the government to restore order. On Friday, the government reached an agreement with one labour union, whose leaders urged protesters to lift the blockades. However, other groups have continued to demand Paz's resignation and refused to negotiate. The emergency decree bans the blocking of roads, streets and highways that disrupt transportation and supply chains and authorises the armed forces to assist police in restoring order, reopening roads and protecting civilians. The government said the emergency measures do not suspend constitutional rights or due process guarantees and allow citizens to continue their normal activities. The state of emergency could be lifted earlier if the violence and threats against the population cease. Paz assumed office in November, ending nearly two decades of uninterrupted rule by the leftist Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, which left the country facing its worst economic crisis in a generation. The centrist president pledged to tackle chronic fuel shortages and rebuild state finances while preserving social welfare programmes. However, his austerity policies, particularly the removal of long-standing fuel subsidies, have fuelled inflation and triggered widespread discontent. The government's attempts to address fuel shortages with lower-quality gasoline also sparked criticism after reports that it damaged thousands of vehicles. Economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and stimulating growth have meanwhile stalled in Congress. Many of the protests have been led by Indigenous and rural groups that had traditionally supported MAS but helped bring Paz to power last year. They accuse his administration of ignoring their concerns. Paz is also facing pressure from both the hard-right opposition, which dominates Congress, and the country's long-ruling left. Former president Evo Morales has backed the protests and called for fresh elections while remaining in hiding in Bolivia's coca-growing region to avoid arrest on charges related to statutory rape. The administration of US President Donald Trump has expressed support for Paz's government. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with the Bolivian leader last week and said Washington was increasing emergency assistance and logistical support to help ease shortages caused by the blockades. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth condemned the protests as attempts to overthrow Bolivia's legitimate government and warned those responsible for what he described as "death and destruction" in the region that the United States was closely monitoring the situation.