AGP Executive Report

Protest Crisis in Bolivia: President Rodrigo Paz says the country is at a “breaking point” as nearly a month of roadblocks has triggered shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, while he warns protesters that “time is running out” and signals he may use “constitutional instruments” if talks fail. Emergency Powers Overhaul: Bolivia’s Congress repealed limits on emergency declarations, and Paz promulgated a law restoring the executive’s ability to deploy the Armed Forces in internal unrest, easing procedures for a state of emergency. Military on the Streets: With the legal path cleared, the government moves toward troop deployment alongside police to disperse blockades, as opposition warns this could inflame tensions. Humanitarian Pressure: Brazil plans to airlift food into Bolivia to help ease the impact of the blockades around La Paz. Everyday Impact: Reports from La Paz describe families struggling to reach hospitals and get medicines, with deaths linked to delayed care. Regional Business: Paraguay hosts a Mercosur business leaders meeting in Asunción with participation from Bolivia, aiming to strengthen intra-bloc trade and a common private-sector agenda.

State of Emergency Rewritten: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz moved to ease the process for declaring a state of emergency by revoking a law that previously set limits, with Congress approval still required within 72 hours—amid weeks of roadblocks and shortages in La Paz and El Alto. Congress Greenlights Troop Use: Lawmakers also backed removing restrictions on emergency powers, clearing the way for Paz to deploy soldiers and curb civil liberties as protests demanding his resignation intensify. Protest Pressure on Fuel and Services: In La Paz, transport unions say poor-quality gasoline is damaging vehicles and that fuel scarcity has effectively stalled the city for days, while they demand reimbursement for repairs. Humanitarian Aid Route: Brazil plans to airlift food from Santa Cruz to La Paz to ease shortages caused by blockades, coordinating through its foreign affairs and defense ministries after a call between Lula and Paz. Security Crackdown: Bolivia says it captured Gerson Palermo, a top First Capital Command figure, and plans to hand him over to Brazil.

Fuel & Protest Pressure: Bolivia’s unrest is still boiling in La Paz and beyond, now in its fourth week, with road blockades and shortages hitting food, fuel and medicine as protesters demand President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation and police clashes continue. Women’s Rights & Mobilization: Women’s groups have launched hunger strikes and mobilizations in La Paz to reject laws they say criminalize road blockades and restrict protest, warning they’ll keep pressure until dialogue guarantees are met. Dialogue Demands: Journalists and press workers are calling for a real dialogue platform to reduce tension and protect rights, as the country’s polarization deepens. Security Crackdown: Authorities say they arrested Gerson Palermo, a top First Capital Command figure, in Santa Cruz and plan to hand him to Brazil. Regional Ripples: Brazil has sent humanitarian aid to Bolivia amid shortages, while the Amazon faces growing organized-crime pressure, according to a new report.

Bolivia Protest Crisis: Bolivia’s political standoff is still boiling. Media and journalists’ unions are urging a “dialogue platform” to calm La Paz and El Alto as the country reaches its 26th day of marches and blockades, with protesters demanding President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation and warning the unrest is hitting basic rights like movement, health, food, and work. Humanitarian Response: Brazil’s President Lula ordered humanitarian aid to Bolivia after talks with Paz, citing shortages caused by roadblocks. Political Pressure: Paz has offered a major gesture—cutting his own salary and cabinet pay by 50%—but clashes and road disruptions continue. Fatality and Accountability: Bolivia confirmed the death of a 24-year-old man during weekend operations to clear blockades, saying an investigation is underway. Diplomacy and Tension: The crisis is also spilling into regional politics, with Bolivia and Colombia trading ambassador expulsions amid accusations over protest crackdowns.

Protest Flashpoint: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has announced a 50% cut to his own salary and that of his cabinet as anti-government protesters press toward the presidential palace in La Paz, with road blockades continuing to choke supplies and fuel shortages hitting markets, hospitals, and gas stations. Labor Hardens: The COB (Bolivian Workers’ Central) says it will not sit for dialogue while arrest warrants stand and detained workers remain in custody, keeping pressure on the government. Legal-Military Tension: Lawmakers have moved to overturn limits on the use of emergency measures, raising fears of a tougher crackdown as clashes between police and protesters flare. What’s Driving It: Protesters demand an end to austerity and fuel subsidy cuts, and many now call for Paz’s resignation—six months into his presidency.

Bolivia Crisis Deepens: President Rodrigo Paz says he’ll cut his own salary and cabinet pay in half, calling it a “commitment to the country,” as protests and roadblocks enter a fourth week and shortages hit La Paz and El Alto. Roadblock Standoff: The COB (Bolivian Workers’ Central) refuses dialogue until arrest warrants are lifted and detained workers are released, while highway officials report 59 blockades across six regions and a second attempt to reopen the La Paz–Oruro route fails. Violence on the Ground: Security forces have faced renewed resistance, including attacks on convoys clearing “humanitarian corridors,” and clashes have been reported as demonstrators target access to the capital. Regional Aid Flows: Peru delivered four tons of food to blockade-affected families and also repatriated Bolivians stranded in Puno, adding to support from Argentina, Chile, and the U.S. Political Pressure: Evo Morales renewed calls for elections within 90 days, warning against any move to “militarize” the country.

Humanitarian Airlift: Peru delivered four tons of food to Bolivia by military aircraft, adding Lima to an expanding regional effort to reach families hit by 19 days of road blockades; the same route also repatriated Bolivians stranded in Puno. Political Crisis: Evo Morales escalated pressure on President Rodrigo Paz, demanding elections within 90 days and warning that any “militarization” to reopen routes would be “suicidal,” as violence flared again on the highways. Security & Governance: Bolivia’s Senate approved repealing the 2020 State of Exception Law, a move critics say could give the executive more room to act during the unrest—while unions and civic groups clash over whether exceptional measures should be used. Regional Fallout: Paraguay’s prosecutors mapped a drug route linking Bolivia to European ports in the Marset case, detailing a network allegedly moving cocaine via clandestine flights. Sports & Culture: In tennis, João Fonseca advanced at Roland Garros after a scare; in Bolivia’s streets, Carnaval San Francisco’s Grand Parade drew thousands with contingents including Bolivia.

Roadblock Crisis Escalates: Bolivia’s “White Flags” operation to reopen highways is colliding with fresh violence, with police and military trying to clear routes into La Paz while protesters rebuild barricades and clashes flare again in areas like El Alto’s Senkata district. Humanitarian Corridors: The government says convoys will move food, fuel, oxygen and medicines, with the Red Cross and Catholic Church asked to help keep the effort peaceful. Political Pressure: President Rodrigo Paz is facing mounting calls for his resignation as blockades choke supplies and the unrest stretches into a fourth week, with Paz warning force may be used if talks fail. Bitcoin Workaround: Amid the turmoil, an Italian firm is reviving a dormant 127 MW gas plant in Cochabamba for behind-the-meter Bitcoin mining paid in USD, aiming to bypass Bolivia’s currency squeeze. Regional Context: The week also saw Bolivia’s diplomatic tensions with Colombia and ongoing international attention on the crisis.

Bolivia Crisis Intensifies: Police and protesters clashed again in La Paz as unions and Indigenous groups pushed for President Rodrigo Paz to resign, with tear gas, stones and dynamite cartridges reported and many central businesses shutting down ahead of renewed violence. Blockades, Shortages, and “Humanitarian Corridors”: With roadblocks choking supplies for weeks, the government says it will open “humanitarian corridors” on Saturday in La Paz to move food, medicine and oxygen past the blockades, with the Red Cross and Catholic Church involved to reduce confrontation. Political Pressure Builds: The unrest is now tied to austerity, fuel and foreign-currency shortages, and soaring living costs—sparking an indefinite general strike and repeated marches that have already led to deaths and mass detentions. Diplomatic Fallout: Separately, Bolivia and Colombia escalated a diplomatic row after each expelled each other’s representatives, amid wider regional political tensions.

Protests in La Paz: Bolivia’s anti-government unrest surged again on Friday, with riot police clashing with thousands of farmers, workers, miners, transport unions and Indigenous groups demanding President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation—tear gas, stones and dynamite cartridges reported as businesses shut and marches pushed toward government buildings. Humanitarian corridors: With blockades choking supply routes, the government says police and armed forces will open “humanitarian corridors” on Saturday in La Paz to move food, medicine and oxygen past roadblocks, with the Red Cross and Catholic Church involved. Political pressure: The standoff has dragged on for weeks, tied to austerity, fuel and foreign-currency shortages, and a general strike that has already left deaths and mass detentions. Diplomatic spillover: Separately, Bolivia and Colombia escalated their dispute by expelling each other’s diplomats amid rising regional political tensions.

Bolivia Crisis Deepens: Police used tear gas to break up a massive COB march into downtown La Paz on May 22, as protesters—miners, teachers, transport workers, peasants and Indigenous groups—again demanded President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation; clashes shut down businesses and traffic, while the wider strike keeps blockades active around the capital. Humanitarian Corridors: With supplies stuck behind roadblocks, the government says it will open “humanitarian corridors” Saturday in La Paz department so food, medicine, oxygen and other goods can move, with Red Cross and Catholic Church participation. Pressure on the Government: Paz says he won’t resign and announced a cabinet reshuffle plus an “Economic Social Council,” but dialogue hinges on dropping arrest warrants for union leaders. Regional Echoes: Evo Morales accused the U.S. of backing Paz and fueling the unrest, as Washington’s Rubio branded protesters “criminals and drug traffickers.”

Bolivia Unrest Intensifies: Protests and road blockades are tightening around La Paz, with reports of dynamite charges, clashes with police, and shortages hitting hospitals and markets as demonstrators demand President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation over fuel, food, and cost-of-living pressures. Diplomatic Fallout: Bolivia and Colombia escalated their crisis by expelling each other’s ambassadors, accusing outside interference amid the street turmoil. Government Response: Paz signaled a cabinet reshuffle and creation of an economic and social council to bring Indigenous groups, farmers, and miners into talks, while rejecting negotiations with “vandals.” Regional Backing: The U.S. reiterated support for Paz as a “legitimate constitutional government,” warning against attempts to overthrow elected leaders. Elsewhere in the News: In a separate development, Iraq mobilized rescue teams after contact was lost with two Bolivia-flagged vessels in the Gulf.

Bolivia Unrest: Protests, strikes, and road blockades are still choking Bolivia’s economy and capital, with shortages of food, fuel, and medicine reported as the crisis deepens into a third week and President Rodrigo Paz faces mounting calls to resign. Diplomatic Fallout: The turmoil has spilled into diplomacy: Bolivia and Colombia have expelled each other’s ambassadors after Gustavo Petro described the rallies as a “popular insurrection,” with both sides trading accusations of interference and non-interference. US Stance: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated Washington’s backing for Paz’s “legitimate constitutional government,” warning against attempts to overthrow elected leaders. Regional Pressure: Trinidad and Tobago joined a wider “Shield of the Americas” call for calm, urging protesters to respect democratic institutions. Maritime Alert: Separately, Iraq mobilized rescue teams after contact was lost with two Bolivia-flagged vessels in the Gulf, with satellite monitoring ongoing.

Cabinet Calm-Talk Meets Diplomatic Fire: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz announced a cabinet reshuffle and a new Economic and Social Council meant to bring protesters into policy talks, while insisting he won’t “negotiate with vandals” after looting and arson in La Paz. Colombia Retaliation Escalates: The crisis then jumped borders: Bolivia and Colombia expelled each other’s ambassadors after Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called the unrest a “popular insurrection,” prompting La Paz to accuse him of interference. Colombia responded by removing Bolivia’s top diplomat in Bogotá. International Pressure: The Swiss government updated travel advice, warning against going to Bolivia amid tense conditions and disrupted access to food, fuel, and medical supplies. Ongoing Street Pressure: Protesters continue to demand Paz’s resignation over the cost-of-living squeeze and fuel shortages, with the standoff still shaping daily life in the capital.

Bolivia Crisis Hits Diplomatic Breaking Point: Anti-government protests have paralyzed La Paz for weeks, with road blockades choking fuel, food and medicine supplies and sparking clashes that authorities say have left multiple people dead. Cabinet Shakeup Under Pressure: President Rodrigo Paz says he will reorganize his cabinet to “listen” and create an economic and social council, as protesters demand his resignation and fresh elections. Colombia Row Escalates: Bolivia expelled Colombia’s ambassador after Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the unrest a “popular insurrection,” while Bolivia warned the turmoil threatens democratic order; the U.S. backs Paz, calling the situation a coup attempt. Regional Security Push: Chile invited Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Ecuador to a “Secure Border” summit aimed at coordinating action against organized crime. Elsewhere in the region: Argentina opened bids for the Paraná-Paraguay waterway concession despite warnings of irregularities.

Protests in La Paz Intensify: Bolivia’s capital is effectively under siege again as anti-government crowds clash with police, with tear gas, road blockades, and shortages hitting food, fuel, and even hospital oxygen—while President Rodrigo Paz faces fresh calls to resign less than six months into his term. Crackdown and Detentions: Authorities report dozens of arrests, including charges tied to “economic sabotage” and “intentional damage,” as the government rejects declaring a state of emergency and instead moves to tighten security. Diplomatic Fallout: Bolivia has dismissed Colombia’s ambassador over sovereignty concerns after Colombian President Gustavo Petro described the unrest as a “popular insurrection,” raising regional tensions. Ongoing Economic Pressure: The unrest is driven by wage demands, fuel subsidy cuts, and broader anger over a deepening cost-of-living crisis. Business and Connectivity: Separate from the turmoil, Sparkle and Entel Bolivia signed an MoU to commercialize a Peru–Brazil terrestrial digital corridor via Bolivia.