Bolivia Congress authorizes President Rodrigo Paz to deploy troops against protests

Bolivia's lower house approved a bill that relaxes emergency rules and grants President Rodrigo Paz authority to use the military to clear road blockades that have crippled major cities for weeks. The legislation, which has passed the Senate and awaits Paz's signature, gives troops a presumption of legality when confronting demonstrators and aims to address severe food, medicine and fuel shortages caused by around 100 blockades.

The protests, centered in the Santa Cruz region's agricultural belt, have seen police and riot units backed by military vehicles fire tear gas and attempt to reopen key highways, notably in the town of San Julian. Demonstrators have responded with stone‑throwing, tire‑burning and re‑blocking cleared routes. The unrest stems from demands for Paz's resignation after his neoliberal reforms and perceived disregard for social demands. The US‑backed "Shield of the Americas" alliance publicly backed the Bolivian government’s response.