Mass anti-government demonstrations and prolonged roadblocks across Bolivia are placing mounting pressure on President Rodrigo Paz as the country struggles through a tense political and economic transition following two decades of socialist rule.
Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg Television’s Wall Street Week from the presidential palace in La Paz on Saturday, Paz warned that the unrest threatens not only his administration but also the long-term viability of democracy in Bolivia.
“There are many internal and external interests in making this democracy fail and generating regional disorder,” Paz said.
“This is a problem over whether democracy in Bolivia is viable or not.”
The protests, now entering their fourth week, have severely disrupted transportation and supply chains throughout western Bolivia.
Roadblocks established by demonstrators have cut off deliveries of food, fuel, and medical supplies to La Paz and neighboring El Alto, two of the country’s most important urban centers.
The blockades have increased fears of shortages and intensified concerns over the fragile state of Bolivia’s economy.
Paz said his government continues seeking dialogue with protest leaders while also deploying security forces to dismantle some barricades.
Police have reportedly used tear gas in several operations aimed at reopening blocked highways and restoring transportation access.
The administration insists that maintaining order is necessary to prevent deeper economic and humanitarian disruptions.
The government has invited the La Paz farmers federation for talks scheduled on Sunday morning in an attempt to ease tensions.
In addition, a broader socioeconomic council representing multiple sectors of society is expected to meet Wednesday for discussions on economic legislation affecting strategic industries.
According to Paz, the agenda includes reforms related to oil and gas, mining, lithium production, and foreign investment.
The president expressed hope that negotiations would produce meaningful results but emphasized that Bolivia’s constitution also permits the use of force if required to restore public order.
The demonstrations are being driven by a coalition of farmers, union organizations, and supporters of former President Evo Morales.
Opposition groups accuse Paz of failing to fulfill campaign promises to solve Bolivia’s worsening economic crisis during his first six months in office.
Many protesters are now openly demanding his resignation.
Paz entered office in November after campaigning on promises to modernize Bolivia’s economy and reduce state control over key industries.
The president positioned himself as a political outsider capable of attracting working-class voters while also gaining support from segments of the long-ruling Movimiento al Socialismo, commonly known as MAS.
During the campaign, Paz promoted a platform he described as “capitalism for everyone.”
Since taking office, his administration has introduced a series of economic measures aimed at stabilizing Bolivia’s fragile financial situation.
Those measures include reducing fuel subsidies, implementing a foreign-exchange reference system, attempting to slow inflation, and encouraging greater participation from the private sector.
The government has also sought to attract foreign investment into strategic industries, particularly mining and lithium, which Bolivia views as critical to its economic future.
However, many of those policies have generated backlash among labor groups and rural communities.
The administration has faced criticism over rising living costs, complaints about gasoline quality, and a controversial law changing land management regulations.
Trade unions have additionally demanded wage increases to offset inflation and economic uncertainty.
Over time, these separate grievances have merged into a broader anti-government movement centered on calls for Paz to step down.
Former president Morales remains an influential figure behind much of the opposition mobilization.
Morales, who governed Bolivia for nearly 14 years before resigning in 2019 amid political turmoil, is believed to be hiding inside a radio station compound in the coca-growing Chapare region of Cochabamba, his longtime political stronghold.
From there, Morales has reportedly continued urging supporters to demand early elections.
The ongoing unrest reflects deeper political divisions over Bolivia’s future direction.
Paz argues that powerful interests tied to the previous political system are resisting change and attempting to undermine the country’s transition toward a more open economy.
“The past doesn’t want to give way to the present and the future, and that’s part of the conflict we’re living through,” Paz said during the interview.
The president framed his administration as a historic turning point following two decades of socialist governance.
“Our government represents the closing of a cycle of management of the last 20 years,” he said.
Despite the escalating protests, Paz insisted that his administration remains committed to implementing reforms aimed at reshaping Bolivia’s economy and political system.
He said he envisions a country with a more stable fiscal position, stronger legal certainty for investors, and reduced social tensions linked to racial and cultural divisions.
Bolivia has long struggled with deep inequalities between Indigenous communities, urban elites, and different regional political movements.
Successive governments have often faced unrest tied to those divisions, particularly during periods of economic hardship.
Paz said his long-term objective is to create a more unified and productive society while opening Bolivia more fully to the global economy.
“This transition won’t be easy, but clearly it’s the right path to free up Bolivia’s productive forces,” he said.
The political instability comes at a sensitive moment for Bolivia’s economy.
The country has faced declining natural gas revenues, persistent fiscal deficits, foreign currency shortages, and slowing economic growth in recent years.
Bolivia’s once-strong energy exports, particularly natural gas shipments to neighboring countries, have weakened significantly due to falling production and reduced regional demand.
At the same time, the government is attempting to position Bolivia as a major supplier of lithium, a key mineral used in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies.
International investors have shown growing interest in Bolivia’s vast lithium reserves, which are among the largest in the world.
However, ongoing political instability threatens to complicate those ambitions.
Analysts warn that prolonged protests and uncertainty could discourage foreign investment and further damage confidence in Bolivia’s economic outlook.
The unrest also highlights broader tensions across Latin America, where governments pursuing market-oriented reforms often face resistance from labor unions, rural organizations, and left-wing political movements concerned about inequality and privatization.
For Paz, the challenge now involves balancing economic stabilization efforts with demands for social protection and political inclusion.
The coming days may prove critical as negotiations between the government and protest groups continue.
If talks fail, authorities could face pressure to intensify security operations to reopen highways and restore supply chains.
At the same time, any escalation in violence risks further inflaming public anger and deepening the country’s political crisis.
For now, Bolivia remains trapped between competing visions of its future: one focused on economic liberalization and international investment, and another defending the socialist legacy established during the Morales era.
As protests continue disrupting daily life across the country, Paz’s presidency faces its most serious test since taking office less than a year ago.
