Doctors operate on a patient at the public general hospital in La Paz, Bolivia, on Tuesday, June 2.Image: keystone
June 2, 2026, 10:59 p.mJune 2, 2026, 10:59 p.m
In view of increasing bottlenecks caused by weeks of road blockades, the regional government of the Bolivian department of La Paz has declared a health and humanitarian emergency. The aim is to ensure the supply of medical oxygen, medicines, food and other essential goods to hospitals, according to an administrative resolution quoted by the newspaper “La Razón”.
The measure, which was initially valid for 90 days, was justified by a critical supply situation that was triggered by the blockades that had been ongoing for more than a month.
Human Rights Commission: At least seven deaths
The Inter-American Human Rights Commission CIDH also warned of the humanitarian consequences of the crisis. The organization cited shortages of fuel, food, medicine and oxygen, as well as at least seven deaths linked to the protests. Four people died because they could not receive timely medical care, the commission reported, citing the Bolivian Human Rights Ombudsman.
Three Bolivian Marine^s guard Plaza Murillo in La Paz.Image: keystone
“In view of the serious impairment of human rights and the significant humanitarian impact resulting from the protests and road blockades, the state and all sectors of society involved are called upon to give priority to dialogue,” said the CIDH.
Deeper political crisis
Since the beginning of May, unions, farmers, miners and supporters of former left-wing President Evo Morales have been blocking important transport routes in Bolivia. The protests are directed against the difficult economic situation, rising living costs and reform plans by the conservative government of President Rodrigo Paz. His election victory at the end of 2025 ended an era of left-wing governments that lasted almost two decades.
However, observers see the causes of the current crisis in broader social and economic discontent. Although Morales is considered an important supporter of the protest movement, analysts see him more as a political beneficiary than as the actual trigger of the crisis. (sda/dpa)