La Paz declares sanitary emergency amid waste collection crisis

The city of La Paz is facing a sanitary crisis due to the accumulation of waste in streets and public spaces following a labor dispute. The municipal government has declared an emergency to address the health risks posed by the buildup of refuse after dialogue failed between the Mayor's office and workers from the company La Paz Limpia.

Mayor César Dockweiler has activated the Emergency Waste Management Plan (PESA) to temporarily handle refuse collection. The Mayor denied that the municipality owes money to the contractor, instead accusing the company of inciting the strike. Meanwhile, service levels have reportedly dropped to 50%, and workers have threatened to block the Sak’a Churu landfill.

In a separate administrative matter, the La Paz City Council and the water utility OOMSAPAS have suspended the mandatory ‘Huella del Agua’ fee following public backlash. The program, originally intended to fund 25,000 water meters, will transition to a voluntary contribution model, allowing users to opt out of the charge on their consumption bills.