Bolivian security forces clear roadblocks under state of emergency
Bolivian police and military personnel cleared roadblocks across parts of the La Paz department on Saturday as authorities began enforcing a state of emergency declared earlier in the day by President Rodrigo Paz.
The operation, led by Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano Urenda, focused on restoring traffic along key transport routes that had been blocked for weeks by protesters.
Footage from Viory showed police and soldiers removing stones, concrete blocks and mounds of earth from roads as vehicles slowly resumed movement. The deployment began in El Alto, passed through Senkata and continued to the Achica Arriba checkpoint on the main highway linking La Paz with Oruro.
In Senkata, some residents expressed support for the operation, saying the roadblocks had severely disrupted daily life.
"I agree with this roadblock clearance because it has caused a lot of harm. I live in Samo. How far do I have to walk to the minibus? .. We are harming ourselves," said resident Izana Apaza.
Authorities said the operation also enabled more than 150 trucks stranded in the Confital, Sayari and Bombeo sectors to resume their journeys after drivers spent more than 30 days with limited access to food and fuel.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
