Bolivia invokes emergency powers amid economic and political turmoil

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La Pas: On Saturday, US-backed conservative Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a 90-day state of emergency, allowing a military deployment and imposing temporary restrictions on certain civil rights, including the right to protest, as the country dealt with weeks of anti-government protests.

The emergency step comes after more than 50 days of statewide protests and road blocks that have delayed the supply of food, fuel and medicines, crippled transport networks and exacerbated Bolivia's economic crisis. Paz accused protesters of seeking to destabilise the country, saying the government would take action to restore public order and maintain the flow of essential goods.

The decree allows the armed forces to support police in clearing roadblocks and protecting critical infrastructure. Authorities warned that those continuing to obstruct roads could face legal action. Demonstrators, many aligned with former president Evo Morales and Indigenous groups, have been demanding Paz's resignation and the reversal of austerity measures, including fuel subsidy cuts.

The move has drawn criticism from rights groups, who fear the expanded military role and restrictions on protests could escalate tensions rather than resolve the underlying economic and political grievances fuelling the unrest.