Bolivia's Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas resigns amid escalating protests

Bolivia's Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas submitted his resignation to President Rodrigo Paz on Tuesday, joining Education Minister Beatriz García in stepping down amid a month of nationwide protests. Demonstrators, including workers, farmers, miners, transporters and teachers, demand Paz's departure over soaring food and fuel prices, severe shortages of medicine and supplies, and widespread road blockades that have crippled transport and logistics.

The resignations come as the government faces growing pressure to declare a state of emergency, a move that would allow greater use of the armed forces to restore order. Sources mention Deputy Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano as a possible successor, though no official appointment has been confirmed. Security forces have deployed tear gas and arrested hundreds of protesters, but a large‑scale military crackdown has been avoided so far.