Speaking from the historic Palacio Quemado in La Paz, Paz said the government needed to improve its ability to respond to public concerns during Bolivia’s worsening economic and social crisis.

The announcement came as demonstrations and transport blockades continued in La Paz, El Alto, and other regions. Protesters are demanding action over shortages of fuel and food, rising living costs, and the broader economic situation.

Paz appealed to demonstrators to allow humanitarian corridors for the delivery of essential supplies to hospitals and markets.

“To ask those who are at the blockades that this humanitarian corridor is oxygen in hospitals, it is food in our cities, they do not deserve this punishment,” he stated.

The president also criticised what he described as false information circulating online and among opposition groups regarding alleged government plans to impose new taxes and privatisations.

He also referred to deaths reported during the unrest and warned that those responsible for violence would face legal action.

“There are three dead because of the blockades. They are not from the national government; they are blockades. And the government is extending diverse options in order to generate dialogue. Vandals and those who have debts with justice , sooner or later, will have to face justice,” he said.

The speech took place under heavy security, with police and military personnel guarding key government buildings and diplomatic offices in central La Paz, including the Legislative Palace.

“After nearly 15 days of systematic road blockades, the entire health system of the City of La Paz <…> is under a logistical siege that places us on the verge of total shortages and institutional collapse,” said Alfredo Mendoza, director of the Children ’s Hospital.

Doctor Luis Larrea also blamed the blockades for worsening conditions inside hospitals.

“Today we are saying it; we do not want tomorrow to come out with an announcement that some patient has died. We doctors, will not be responsible for this blockade,” he said.

The shortages have directly affected patients who rely on continuous treatment and oxygen supplies.

“I still struggle a lot to breathe, especially those carrying out the blockades; have a heart so that at least they allow medicines to pass through, please,” said patient Elias Colque Huaywa.

The crisis comes amid nationwide protests against President Rodrigo Paz. Demonstrations led by unions, peasant groups, miners, and other organisations have blocked major roads while demanding government action over the economic crisis and calling for the president’s resignation.

The blockades have particularly affected routes leading into La Paz and El Alto, limiting access for fuel trucks and supply vehicles.

According to Bolivia’s Ministry of Health, at least four tonnes of medical oxygen failed to reach hospitals because of roadblocks in different parts of the country.

The political and economic unrest has also disrupted food supplies. Authorities and local reports say shortages of products, including beef and chicken, have been reported in La Paz, while several businesses remain closed.

The protests have also reportedly led to riots and looting, including major incidents on Monday. Demonstrators are demanding solutions to shortages, concerns over fuel quality, and broader economic problems linked to the government of President Rodrigo Paz.

Paz called on protesters on Wednesday to allow the creation of humanitarian corridors to hospitals.

Bolivian truck driver Miguel Mamani said he had been stranded for ten days because of the ongoing unrest.

Mamani added that many drivers were facing shortages of food, water , medicine, and sanitary facilities while waiting at the border.

Bolivian trader Maciel Herrera also said she had been stranded for ten days and criticised those organising the protests.

“We want to work. We need to earn a living. Many people live day to day, and many families have been sleeping on the street with their children ,” she said.

The Departmental Chamber of Transport of La Paz said earlier this week that around 5,000 heavy trucks remained stranded on Bolivian roads because of protests and roadblocks that have continued for more than a week.

Demonstrators have blocked several key transport routes, including international corridors linking Bolivia with Peru and Chile, as part of growing protests demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. The demonstrations were triggered by opposition to the government’s economic reform measures.