LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivia’s political landscape remains volatile as miners and protesters continued their aggressive demonstrations for an eighth consecutive day against President Rodrigo Paz’s sweeping economic reforms. The capital city witnessed dramatic scenes as protesters detonated dynamite sticks and launched fireworks toward police forces, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to maintain security around the congressional square.
The core of the discontent stems from Paz’s recent decree eliminating longstanding fuel subsidies, a move that has nearly doubled gasoline prices from 53 cents to $1 per liter. The protests, initially led by state-owned miners, have gained support from teachers’ unions and Indigenous groups, indicating growing opposition from constituencies traditionally aligned with the ousted Movement for Socialism party.
President Paz, who took office in November after October’s election, has embarked on a significant policy shift characterized by his “capitalism for all” platform. Beyond the subsidy cuts, his reforms include enabling the central bank to borrow without legislative approval and implementing measures to address Bolivia’s severe U.S. dollar shortage.
Despite the unrest, Paz has moved swiftly to improve international relations, particularly with the United States, by agreeing to exchange ambassadors after a 17-year diplomatic hiatus. The administration maintains these economic measures are necessary to attract foreign investment and stabilize the nation’s economy, though they continue to face staunch resistance from workers’ unions who fear increased national debt and economic hardship for future generations.