Bolivia's legislators push economic relief after 53‑day blockades

Lawmakers in Bolivia's Plurinational Legislative Assembly backed proposals for emergency economic measures to counter the fallout from more than 50 days of nationwide blockades. Deputy Juan José Torres (PDC) urged the approval of low‑interest international credits from institutions such as the Inter‑American Development Bank, alongside tax incentives and other relief already approved in part. Opposing voices, including deputy Sofía Rocha (Libre), warned that vague “salvage plans” could increase public debt without solving structural problems.

The planned interpellation of Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo was suspended, which legislators described as a political maneuver by the ruling Alliance Popular to shield blockade participants. Critics said the suspension undermined government accountability.

Business leaders and sectoral unions demanded soft‑loan legislation and called for the imprisonment of those they blamed for instigating the blockades, which they said damaged up to 85% of the population. Estimates from the Santa Cruz business community suggest a six‑month to one‑year timeline for economic recovery, with losses running into billions of bolivianos. The Economy Ministry outlined a reconstruction plan involving credit facilities, tax relief, exchange‑rate stability measures, and targeted support for transport, food production, self‑employed workers, and tourism.