The mobilisation was led by miners affiliated with the Departmental Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Cochabamba (Fidecomin), who marched towards the city centre to demand the immediate repeal of the decree. Protesters described the measure as unconstitutional and warned that it disproportionately affects low-income Bolivians who rely on subsidised fuel to sustain their daily livelihoods.

Speaking during the march, miners made clear that the repeal of Decree 5503 is their sole demand and signalled that the current protests could escalate. Union representatives said more forceful actions, including road blockades and broader mobilisations, remain under consideration if the government fails to respond.

Decree 5503 set new fuel prices at 6.96 bolivianos per litre for regular petrol, 11 bolivianos for premium petrol, and 9.80 bolivianos for diesel. The policy marks a significant shift in Bolivia’s long-standing fuel subsidy system and comes amid wider economic pressures facing the country.

The government has suggested that the protests may be driven by political motivations, a claim firmly rejected by demonstrators, who argue their demands are social and economic in nature . With mobilisations expected to continue, attention now turns to the executive branch, which faces mounting pressure to address opposition to the decree and prevent further escalation of the conflict.

The removal of subsidies, which until now kept fuel well below international market costs, will result in sharp increases in gasoline and diesel prices. Under the new regime, the cost of petrol and diesel is expected to rise substantially, with diesel climbing more than 160 per cent and petrol nearly doubling in price. At the same time, the government said it would maintain the price of liquefied petroleum gas to protect household budgets.

Paz described the elimination of fuel subsidies as part of an “economic and social emergency” and insisted the move does not mean abandonment of social commitments, but rather “order, justice and transparent redistribution” of resources. He also announced a 20 per cent increase in the national minimum wage and expanded social support measures intended, officials say, to cushion the impact on vulnerable groups.

The decision has drawn both support and criticism domestically. Some sectors welcomed the end of costly subsidies that drained the state coffers, which previously amounted to several billion dollars annually and argued the move could help reduce fiscal deficits and encourage private sector participation in fuel supply. Others, including labour groups and transport unions, have expressed strong opposition, staging demonstrations and strikes in major cities such as La Paz and Santa Cruz, as the higher fuel costs quickly rippled through public transport and other key services .

Internationally, Bolivia’s policy shift is being watched as part of a wider pattern in Latin America , where countries are grappling with the legacy of long-standing subsidies amid economic pressures including inflation, dollar shortages and budget deficits. For foreign investors and regional partners, the reforms signal a significant break with the previous two decades of fixed fuel pricing and a move towards market-oriented adjustments aimed at restoring fiscal health.

According to the presidential decree, the emergency applies to the provinces of Pichincha, Cotopaxi, Tungurahua, Chimborazo, Bolívar, Cañar, Azuay, Orellana, Sucumbíos and Pastaza. Noboa said the protests had “exceeded the legitimate limits” of peaceful resistance and now represent “a serious alteration of public order beyond the control of ordinary measures.” The order suspends the right to public assembly in these regions, limiting gatherings in public spaces for 60 days, though peaceful demonstrations will still be permitted if they do not infringe on others’ rights.

The president also authorised the mobilisation of the Armed Forces and National Police to maintain security, protect lives and ensure freedom of movement and economic activity. Noboa claimed that police and soldiers had been attacked, kidnapped, and mistreated during the protests. Human rights groups, meanwhile, have reported nearly 200 alleged violations, mostly attributed to security forces.

This is the second state of emergency Noboa has declared in recent weeks. On Friday, Ecuador’s Constitutional Court annulled a previous decree affecting five provinces, following challenges from the powerful Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), which leads the current demonstrations. The court upheld the emergency only in the provinces of Carchi and Imbabura, the latter considered the epicentre of unrest.

The protests erupted after Noboa ended long-standing diesel subsidies — a policy that he says will save the state $1.1 billion but that critics argue will hit rural and Indigenous communities hardest. CONAIE leader Marlon Vargas warned that demonstrators could “take over Quito” if the government refuses to negotiate, invoking memories of the 2019 and 2022 uprisings that forced previous administrations to reverse similar fuel price hikes. So far, one person has been killed, more than 80 injured, and over 100 arrested during the 13 days of demonstrations.

Around 500 protesters, coming from across Cotopaxi, marched along the Pan-American Highway after military roadblocks and counter-protests blocked access to the central plaza. Demonstrators chanted slogans calling for Noboa’s removal, while organisers emphasised the peaceful nature of the march.

Leaders of the Indigenous and Peasant Movement of Cotopaxi (MICC) and other groups coordinated the demonstration, citing strategic concerns over avoiding direct confrontations. “We are organising carefully. Our aim is to resist government actions, not provoke violence”, said coordinator Apawki Castro.

The Ministry of the Interior reported 24 arrests during the day, after clashes in other parts of Cotopaxi and nearby provinces like Imbabura. Security forces said some demonstrators attacked police facilities, vehicles, and officers with projectiles, though the main march remained largely peaceful.

President Noboa vowed not to yield to the protesters, accusing them of trying to destabilise the country. He maintains his presence in Latacunga and has imposed states of exception, including curfews, in multiple provinces. Indigenous participants, meanwhile, argued that the protests were a response to broken campaign promises and sudden fuel price hikes, drawing parallels with earlier movements in 2019 and 2022 that forced previous governments to reverse similar policies .

In response, Noboa expanded the state of emergency declared earlier in the week and imposed a nighttime curfew in five provinces. The Attorney General’s Office warned it would act “firmly” against potential crimes, including what it labeled as “terrorism”, if demonstrations escalated. Security forces have already clashed with students and workers protesting in Quito, demanding the president’s resignation.

Fuel subsidies have long been a flashpoint in Ecuador. Conaie previously led mass uprisings in 2019 and 2022 that forced past governments to backtrack on similar reforms. This time, however, Noboa has insisted he will not negotiate. His administration argues the measure will save $1.1 billion annually to fund social protection programs and incentives for small and medium-sized businesses. Indigenous leaders counter that the policy will sharply raise the cost of transport, food, and production, pushing millions deeper into hardship.

Protests have already broken out in provinces like Carchi and Santo Domingo, with roadblocks and arrests reported. The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) called the move a “paquetazo” and warned it will affect millions of poor and rural families. The group has threatened nationwide mobilizations, recalling their major role in the 2019 protests that forced a previous government to reverse a similar reform.

The government says it will not negotiate the decision, while critics warn the measure could increase inflation and living costs. Officials argue the reform is necessary to reduce Ecuador’s deficit, which reached nearly 5% of GDP when Noboa took office in 2023.

The map, compiled from Numbeo’s 2024 Cost of Living Index and supported by other regional data, highlights how daily expenses vary widely across the continent.

Egypt, with a cost index between 37.5–45.5, benefits from government-subsidised food staples and relatively low housing costs.

Zimbabwe tops the list with an index above 67.5, reflecting persistent inflation, currency instability, and high import costs.

Other affordable countries include Tunisia, Algeria, and Ethiopia, while higher-cost nations include South Africa , Namibia, and Mauritius.

According to the African Development Bank and World Bank reports, differences in the cost of living are driven by:

Regional patterns

In the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike allegedly resulting in casualties in Gaza, diplomatic tensions between Colombia and Israel have escalated. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has strongly condemned Benjamin Netanyahu's government, accusing it of committing "genocide" against the Palestinian people. Drawing parallels with the Holocaust, the president expressed deep concern over the violence in the Gaza Strip, EL Tiempo reports. The news of the airstrike, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 112 Palestinians, has prompted a swift response from the Colombian government. "Asking for food, more than 100 Palestinians were killed by Netanyahu. This is called genocide and remembers the Holocaust so that world powers do not like to recognize it. The world must block Netanyahu. Colombia suspends all purchases of weapons from Israel," Petro wrote in his X account. While details remain conflicting, some witnesses suggest that Israeli military forces indiscriminately fired upon a group of civilians awaiting humanitarian aid. This development has sparked concerns among the opposition in Colombia, with voices warning that the decision on the import of weapons from Israel could potentially weaken the country's public forces.

Housing Subsidy

Barranquilla City is set to fulfil the homeownership dreams of thousands of families with the introduction of the new district housing subsidy program, 'Mi Techo Propio.' Mayor Alejandro Char announced the initiative, aiming to benefit 10,000 families over the next four years. With an initial budget of $265 billion for four years, Mayor Char emphasized that there would be no economic ceiling for the program. "We started this program with $265 billion for these four years, but it should be noted that there will be no economic ceiling in this mayor's office for the initiative. We want this social project to benefit 10,000 families with job creation and the possibility of having a decent space. This was a dream we had a long time ago that every Barranquillero could imagine a family future around a great economic effort," he is quoted by El Heraldo .  The mayor highlighted the broader economic impact, expressing the desire for the program to stimulate the city's economy through increased housing purchases. He envisioned the initiative as facilitating community access to property ownership with optimal financial arrangements. The District of Barranquilla's housing strategy encompasses four key action lines: subsidies for home purchases, property titles, housing improvement, and the construction of two district housing projects.

2024 unemployment statistics

The National Administrative Department of Statistics (DANE) in Colombia has released the labour market report for January 2024, indicating a decrease in the unemployment rate to 12.7%. This represents a 1% reduction compared to the same month in the previous year when it stood at 13.7%. Despite the improvement, it's noted that January typically experiences a peak in unemployment. Leonardo Trujillo, acting director of DANE, highlighted that the current unemployment levels are approaching those of 2018 and 2019, pre-pandemic figures. The rate remained below the levels recorded in 2023 and significantly lower than the figures from 2022 and 2021, El Elespectador reports. The employed population saw a positive trend, with a 2.5% increase in the national total. Sectors such as agriculture, livestock, hunting, forestry, and fishing witnessed notable growth in employment.

Tanker scandal

The controversy surrounding the abandonment of 40 tanks in La Guajira, which failed to deliver any water, has escalated into a criminal investigation. The government of President Gustavo Petro, through the Secretary of Transparency, has officially reported three senior commanders of the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) and representatives of the three companies involved in the project to the Attorney General's Office. The complaint alleges possible corruption issues and seeks an investigation into the conduct of these six individuals regarding the scandalous handling of the tank project. This move follows a statement from the UNGRD allegedly affirming support for the director, Olmedo López, which President Petro did not endorse. Instead, the President approved a formal complaint, validating media allegations and presenting new elements for the Prosecutor's Office to scrutinize the potential costs associated with the abandoned tanks. Meanwhile, Olmedo López, the director of the Risk Management Unit, has reportedly submitted his resignation letter to the Presidency, EL Colombiano reports.

Senior citizens’ aid

President Petro has declared a significant boost in support for older adults facing extreme poverty without a pension through the Colombia Mayor program. Addressing the National Congress of Municipalities in Cartagena, he announced a monthly subsidy of $225,000 for this vulnerable demographic, aiming to benefit at least 500,000 Colombians living in poverty, El Elespectador "Every old person over 80 years of age without a pension will receive a pension from the Colombian government. We would like to go down and lower the age to start at 75 to 72 years, but we don't have enough money if the pension reform is not done. With your help, we could try to ensure that at least those 79 years old and those 78 years old can also receive the pension bonus," said President Petro. The President highlighted the substantial increase, noting that beneficiaries of the Colombia Mayor program would see their monthly support rise from $80,000 to $225,000. The increased subsidy is scheduled to take effect in the fifth cycle of this year. President Petro clarified that for active participants in the program under the age of 80, the monetary transfer would remain at $80,000 per month.