Bolivia’s president, Luis Arce, has declared a state of emergency as political unrest and economic disruption threaten to destabilise the country. The announcement, made late on Tuesday, grants the government expanded powers to curtail public gatherings, impose curfews, and mobilise the armed forces. The move follows weeks of mounting tension between Arce’s left-wing government and opposition factions, exacerbated by a deepening economic crisis and protests over fuel and food shortages.
The declaration came after clashes between police and demonstrators in La Paz, the administrative capital, left at least three people dead and scores injured. Witnesses reported tear gas and rubber bullets being used against crowds demanding Arce’s resignation. The president, in a televised address, accused “foreign-backed elements” of seeking to overthrow his government, though he provided no evidence. The state of emergency is expected to remain in effect for 30 days, subject to congressional approval.
Bolivia has a history of political volatility. The country has seen four presidents in the past five years, including the brief tenure of Jeanine Áñez, who stepped down after a controversial interim leadership following the 2019 ouster of Evo Morales. Morales, the first indigenous president, fled into exile amid allegations of electoral fraud. He returned in 2020 and now supports Arce, his former economy minister, from behind the scenes.
At the heart of the current crisis is a severe depletion of foreign currency reserves, which has choked imports and fuelled inflation. The budget deficit has widened to 8% of GDP, according to the International Monetary Fund. The government’s decision to cut fuel subsidies in October triggered widespread protests from transport unions and rural communities. Arce’s administration has blamed speculative hoarding and smuggling for the shortages, but critics point to mismanagement and a reliance on gas exports that have declined as reserves dwindle.
Regional leaders have expressed alarm. Chile has closed its border with Bolivia, citing security concerns. Argentina and Brazil have offered to mediate, but Arce has dismissed external involvement as “imperialist interference”. The United States, often a target of Bolivian nationalist rhetoric, has called for restraint and a peaceful resolution.
The military’s loyalty remains uncertain. The armed forces have been largely neutral in recent protests, but analysts warn that a prolonged state of emergency could test their allegiance. Bolivia’s constitution allows presidents to order troops into internal security roles only with congressional authorisation, which Arce has not yet sought.
For now, the capital remains tense but calm. Shops are shuttered, and streets are quiet except for military patrols. The fear is that the emergency measures will only deepen the polarisation that has paralysed Bolivian politics for years. As one political analyst put it, “Arce has chosen order over dialogue. That is a gamble that could either stabilise the country or hasten its unravelling.”