The streets leading into Bolivia’s capital woke on May 16 before dawn to the sound of armoured vehicles, sirens, and tear gas. In the hills outside La Paz, security forces moved in to dismantle barricades that had paralysed key roads for days.
Protesters, many wrapped in blankets against the cold mountain air, stood their ground behind piles of rocks, burning tyres, and overturned vehicles as the first light broke over the Andes.
What began as scattered demonstrations over fuel shortages and rising prices has now evolved into one of Bolivia’s most volatile political crises in recent years.
The government deployed thousands of soldiers and police officers in a sweeping early-morning operation to reopen blocked highways and restore access to the capital. Authorities said dozens were arrested during the clashes.
But even after the crackdown, the blockade did not fully break. Multiple roadblocks reportedly remained active around La Paz and El Alto, underscoring how limited state control remains on the ground.
Beyond the smoke and sirens lies growing national frustration. Across Bolivia, long queues for fuel, rising transport costs, and economic uncertainty have pushed thousands into the streets.
Farmers, miners, teachers, transport workers, and Indigenous communities are now united by anger over a deteriorating economic reality that cuts across regions and professions.
In El Alto, the sprawling city overlooking La Paz, women waving Bolivian flags demanded the president’s resignation. Miners marched with sticks of dynamite, while riot police responded with tear gas as explosions echoed through narrow streets.
Public transport halted in several districts, markets closed early, and daily life slowed under barricades and uncertainty.
The government briefly opened humanitarian corridors to allow fuel, food, and medical supplies through. But relief was short-lived.
New blockades soon reappeared on strategic routes, reinforcing the sense that the crisis is not easing but deepening into something more entrenched.
The unrest has also turned increasingly violent, with clashes leading to dozens of arrests and multiple injuries. Both security forces and protesters have escalated tactics, turning demonstrations into prolonged resistance across several regions.
At the centre of it all lies a fragile economy under strain. Foreign currency reserves have fallen sharply, exports have slowed, and recent policy shifts have intensified pressure on households already struggling with inflation and shortages. Protestors have demanded the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
For now, while the government continues its attempts to restore order, Bolivia’s capital remains suspended in a cycle of reopening and rupture.
