La Paz declared a 90-day health and humanitarian emergency after prolonged road blockades created severe shortages of oxygen, medicines, food and fuel. The IACHR warned of serious humanitarian and human rights impacts and cited at least seven protest-related deaths, four linked to delayed medical care. Protests by miners, farmers and supporters of former president Evo Morales have disrupted supply lines since early May, with demonstrators opposing rising living costs and the government's economic policies.
La Paz Declares 90-Day Health Emergency as Blockades Trigger Severe Shortages
FILE PHOTO - Protesters flee from tear gas fired by Bolivian police, as groups of workers, miners, citizens, and farmers demonstrate in La Paz, demanding the resignation of Bolivian President Paz. (is associated with: «Bolivia's La Paz declares health emergency due to blockades») Radoslaw Czajkowski/dpa
Authorities in Bolivia's La Paz department declared a 90-day health and humanitarian emergency after weeks of road blockades created acute shortages of medical oxygen, medicines, food and fuel across affected regions.
The administrative resolution, cited by the newspaper La Razón, says the measure aims to guarantee deliveries of essential supplies to hospitals and vulnerable communities while authorities work to restore supply lines disrupted by the protests.
Humanitarian Concerns and Reported Deaths
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), warned of the crisis's humanitarian and human rights impacts. The commission flagged shortages of fuel, food, medicine and oxygen, and referenced the Ombudsperson's Office reporting that at least seven people have died in connection with the protests — four of them reportedly due to delays in receiving medical attention.
IACHR: "In light of the serious human rights impacts and the significant humanitarian consequences resulting from the protests and road blockades, the Commission calls on the State and all social sectors involved to prioritize dialogue."
Background And Causes
Since early May, miners, farmers and supporters of former president Evo Morales have blocked access roads to La Paz and other cities. The demonstrations have disrupted supply lines, producing shortages of food, fuel and everyday necessities in many communities.
Protesters say they are opposing rising living costs and the government's economic policies; some are calling for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, according to the reports cited by local media.
Local authorities say the declared emergency will allow for prioritized transport and distribution of critical supplies to hospitals and other essential services while dialogue and measures to resolve the blockades continue.
Note: This version preserves the names and figures reported in source material. There is a potential discrepancy regarding the named president in some reports; editors may wish to verify the current head of state before publication.
Help us improve.
