\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t The United States backed Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz as the country undergoes the third week of nationwide protests, riots and roadblocks that have led to a critical shortage of fuel, food and medicine in La Paz, the seat of the government.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In an X post, the U.S. Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs warned that the protests have caused a \u201chumanitarian crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe condemn all actions aimed at destabilizing the democratically elected government of\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rodrigo Paz and support it in its efforts to restore order for the peace, security, and stability of the Bolivian people,\u201d the bureau wrote.<\/p>\n
In Bolivia, riots and blockades have created a humanitarian crisis, causing shortages of medicine, food and fuel. We condemn all actions aimed at destabilizing the democratically elected government of @Rodrigo_PazP and support it in its efforts to restore order for the peace,\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (@WHAAsstSecty) May 17, 2026 A critical situation Just six months into his government, centrist Paz is facing a serious political crisis, as workers from varied sectors are demanding salary raises and the stabilization of the economy.<\/p>\n
Many are also protesting against an alleged plan to privatize public companies, although the Bolivian government has stated they have no intention of moving in that direction and said such comments are \u201cfake news.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the protests began in early May, tension reached a peak last week, when workers escalated the riots and began calling for the newly elected president to resign. They clashed with police and were cracked down upon with tear gas.<\/p>\n
Among the sectors leading the protests are miners\u2019 cooperatives, indigenous groups, farmers, teachers, transport workers, the Bolivian Workers\u2019 Central \u2014 the country\u2019s largest work federation \u2014 and followers of former President Evo Morales.<\/p>\n
Paz is the first president who doesn\u2019t belong to the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) since Morales, its founder, took office in 2006.<\/p>\n
Although the Bolivian government is undergoing negotiations with several of those sectors to see to their demands, the blockades persist, leaving the capital city, La Paz, virtually isolated.<\/p>\n
Bolivia has been facing a serious economic crisis for the past three years due to a drop in its gas exports, which led to a shortage of fuel and dollars. Interannual inflation marked 14% in April.<\/p>\n
Milei\u2019s support Due to the shortage of basic goods caused by the road blocks, Argentina decided to provide humanitarian aid by sending food in a H\u00e9rcules C-130 plane over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Paz took to X to thank President Javier Milei for \u201cthe invaluable support provided to Bolivia\u201d and helping \u201cprotect the lives and well-being\u201d of its citizens. It was Paz\u2019s first post in almost a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis gesture of solidarity not only strengthens the historic bonds of fraternity between our nations, but also provides vital relief to our communities in times of great need,\u201d Paz wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Milei replied back, saying that \u201cArgentina stands with the Bolivian people and supports the democratically elected authorities in the face of those who seek to destabilize and obstruct the path to freedom and progress.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mi m\u00e1s profundo agradecimiento al presidente @JMilei por el invaluable apoyo brindado a Bolivia con el env\u00edo de los aviones H\u00e9rcules para tareas de asistencia humanitaria. Este gesto de solidaridad no solo fortalece los hist\u00f3ricos lazos de hermandad entre nuestras naciones, sino\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Rodrigo Paz Pereira (@Rodrigo_PazP) May 16, 2026 On Friday, the governments of Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Panama, and Honduras issued a joint statement to express their concern on the situation in Bolivia.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe reject all actions oriented at destabilizing democratic order,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n
Colombian President Gustavo Petro, on the other hand, has backed the protests, calling them \u201cpopular insurrection.\u201d He also offered for his country to act as a mediator to reach a peaceful solution, which Bolivia rejected.<\/p>\n
Evo Morales While the Bolivian government has linked the riots to ex President Morales, he rejected the accusations and backed the protests.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople exercising their right to freedom of expression and protest is not an attack on democracy,\u201d he posted on X.<\/p>\n
Thousands of Morales supporters reached La Paz on Monday after marching for six days towards it to demand the Bolivian president\u2019s resignation. The government has refused to negotiate with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey can march if they do so peacefully, but we will take action if they commit crimes,\u201d said interior vice minister Hern\u00e1n Paredes.<\/p>\n
Cover photo credit: Evo Morales on X<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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