Seoul Gazette - Bolivian government says cleared all protest roadblocks

Since early May, workers and Indigenous communities have been protesting Bolivia's worst economic crisis in decades and calling for center-right President Rodrigo Paz to resign.

The embattled leader has held on so far, however, and on Saturday declared a state of emergency that allows him to deploy the army and outlaw demonstrations.

The measure also authorizes security forces to clear roadblocks that had caused severe food, medical and fuel shortages in several cities.

There were none left by Tuesday -- down from a peak of some 100 -- according to Public Works Minister Mauricio Zamora.

"Our roads have been cleared," he posted on X.

Washington-backed Paz received another gesture of support from the United States and regional allies.

"We are deeply concerned by the effect of violent road blockades on democracy and the rule of law in Bolivia," the US State Department said in a statement with 15 countries in Latin America.

"We support the constitutionally elected Bolivian government and urge the mobilized groups to prioritize dialogue and negotiation within the established constitutional framework as a fundamental tool of democracy," it added.

Paz's government has accused former socialist president Evo Morales of fomenting the unrest, which has paralyzed the Andean nation.

The pro-business leader also claims, without evidence, that Morales has financial ties to drug trafficking.

Morales, the country's first Indigenous president, is in hiding in his coca-growing stronghold of Chapare to escape charges of trafficking a minor, which he denies.

On Monday, the ex-leader announced the temporary breakdown of the roadblocks in the Cochabamba region where Chapare is located.

"For now, this is a temporary pause, this is not a surrender," he said after a meeting with coca-growing leaders.

I.Do--SG