World

Bolivia's Paz declares state of emergency over blockade crisis

By Reuters Reuters
Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz speaks on the day he signs an agreement with the Bolivian Workers' Confederation (COB) union after 50 days of anti-government protests, a step toward resolving a conflict that has paralyzed the country, in La Paz, Bolivia, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Presidencia de Bolivia/Handout via REUTERS
Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz speaks on the day he signs an agreement with the Bolivian Workers' Confederation (COB) union after 50 days of anti-government protests, a step toward resolving a conflict that has paralyzed the country, in La Paz, Bolivia, June 19, 2026. REUTERS/Presidencia de Bolivia/Handout via REUTERS PRESIDENCIA DE BOLIVIA Reuters

LA PAZ, June 20 - Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency early on Saturday, escalating a blockade crisis that has ground the country's economy to a halt over the past 50 days.

The move, in an address to the nation, clears the way for military deployment to restore order nationwide.

(Reporting by Cassandra Garrison in La Paz; Editing by William Mallard)

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 12:43 AM.

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