June 21, 2026, 9:26 p.mJune 21, 2026, 9:26 p.m
The Bolivian military police.Image: EPA EFE
All six people on board were killed when a Bolivian Air Force plane crashed. “There are no survivors,” said the Bolivian Defense Ministry. Four military personnel and two civilians were among the dead.
According to the ministry, the Cessna FAB-409 was traveling from El Alto Airport near La Paz to Cochabamba in the morning (local time) and was carrying out a flight to “support civil measures”. After the radio connection was lost, a search operation was initiated, during which the crashed aircraft was later found in the Cerro Sayari area in the Cochabamba department. According to the newspaper “El Deber”, the machine was used to monitor areas affected by blockades.
Road closures lead to a state of emergency
The crash comes amid a serious crisis in Bolivia. There have been protests and road blockades in the South American country for more than 50 days, affecting important transport connections.
President Rodrigo Paz therefore declared a nationwide state of emergency on Saturday and justified the measure with the economic, social and humanitarian consequences of the blockades. According to its own statements, the government wants to reopen important transport routes with the help of the police and armed forces and secure the supply of food, fuel and medicine.
The protests are directed, among other things, against the difficult economic situation, rising costs of living and the conservative government’s reform plans. According to government information, the blockades led to supply bottlenecks in several regions. (sda/dpa)