Bolivia’s president declares state of emergency, paving way for troop deployment

Bolivia’s crisis intensified on Saturday as President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency, enabling wider military ‌deployment to clear blockades and restore order after protests brought the economy to a halt over the past 50 days.The emergency declaration gives Paz broader constitutional tools to restore order, such as sending armed forces to clear blockades. While the order goes into effect immediately, the president must notify Congress of the state of emergency within 24 hours of issuing the decree, which then has up to 72 ⁠hours to approve or reject the measure.Protesting groups, many allied to former leftist president Evo Morales, have cut off key ‌roads, stranding trucks and choking supplies of food, fuel and medicines to many areas, including La Paz.