Bolivia President Rodrigo Paz pledges to restore sovereignty as road blockades continue

President Rodrigo Paz said parts of Bolivia are outside the reach of law, describing them as a loss of national sovereignty and pledging to bring every territory back under state authority. The statement came during the anniversary of the National Police and followed the declaration of a state of exception aimed at ending more than 50 days of road blockades that began in May.

The blockades, initially organized by the Central Obrera Boliviana and later taken up by supporters of former president Evo Morales, demanded Paz’s resignation. After 50 days, the COB reached an agreement with the government and most demonstrators withdrew, though a small group of Morales’s followers continued to protest.

In parallel, the United States discussed strengthening the operational capacity of the Bolivian police with Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo, with U.S. envoy Erik Martini offering additional assistance to help restore public order. The talks followed the recent police and military operations that cleared key highways.

Analysts have described the unrest as an insurgential process triggered by controversial legislation and deepening class and regional tensions, underscoring the political volatility in Bolivia.