Bolivia Declares State of Emergency Amidst Weeks of Protests Over Cost of Living

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced a state of emergency on Saturday, weeks after the commencement of extensive anti-government protests. The demonstrations are attributed to escalating living expenses and economic strain, as reported by Mehr News Agency, citing CNN.

The Bolivian Congress had previously passed legislation with a decisive majority, empowering the President to declare a state of emergency and deploy army troops to the streets to manage the ongoing widespread protests.

Government opponents argue that the austerity measures and the elimination of fuel subsidies, implemented by the new administration, have intensified the economic burden on citizens.

These protests, supported by labor unions and farmers, are demanding the resignation of President Paz. Road blockades have led to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies in various parts of the country, paralyzing the national economy over the past 50 days.