Bolivia declares state of emergency amid blockade crisis

For several weeks, a wave of protests has erupted over President Rodrigo Paz’s austerity measures.Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has declared a state of emergency, which gives the military the power to remove blockades that have disrupted food and fuel supplies.Barricades that have been erected on key roads have effectively isolated the administrative capital, La Paz, after a wave of protests calling for Paz to step down over austerity measures have brought the economy to a halt during the past 50 ⁠days.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Bolivia’s legislature passes law allowing use of troops against protesterslist 2 of 3Bolivia approves military measures against nationwide protestslist 3 of 3Satellite images show 10 places where water is disappearing globallyend of listAddressing the nation early on Saturday morning, Paz said antigovernment blockades were no longer a social protest but an organised attempt to destabilise Bolivia’s democracy.“This is not a state of emergency to restrict people’s lives. It is a state of emergency to give people back their freedom,” the president said in a televised address.He said the state of emergency was to ensure fuel supplies, which have been disrupted by roadblocks that have left tanker trucks stranded.According to a government statement, the decree will last 90 days but could be lifted earlier if “violence and threats against the population come to an end”.But more specifically, the decree prohibits “blocking streets, avenues, roads and highways in ways that affect transportation and supplies”.It also orders the armed forces to temporarily support the police “in restoring order, reopening roads and protecting the population.”Over the last five weeks, a wave of protests has erupted against Paz’s austerity measures, which included the cancellation of fuel subsidies and other issues.The protests, however, have led to violent confrontations between demonstrators and riot police, leading to 365 arrests and 37 injuries, according to authorities.