Bolivia has declared a state of emergency tonight, as President Luis Arce’s government battles a spiralling political and economic crisis. The move, announced in a late-night press conference, gives security forces sweeping powers to quell protests. But insiders say the real battle is internal.
Arce is caught. The old guard of his own party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), is splintering. Former President Evo Morales, still a kingmaker, is openly feuding with him. The streets? Burning. Protests against fuel shortages and dollar scarcity have turned violent, with blockades paralysing La Paz. The state of emergency is a gamble. It might restore order. Or it might deepen the rift.
I’ve been watching the polling data. Arce’s approval has cratered below 30%. Inflation is rampant. The central bank is haemorrhaging reserves. This is a classic pre-coup environment. The military is quiet for now. But in these moments, the silence is louder than the noise.
The next 48 hours will define whether Arce can survive the week. Or whether Bolivia slides further into the abyss.