Bolivia declares emergency amid protests

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency early on Saturday, granting broader powers to deploy the military and clear road blockades that have ground the economy to a halt for nearly a month. The blockades, organized by opposition groups, have prevented essential supplies, medical care, and education from reaching communities. Paz stated that 'Bolivians cannot continue to be hostages of blockades that prevent working, studying, receiving medical attention, and bringing sustenance to their homes.' The emergency decree allows the government to mobilize security forces and impose curfews to restore order and reopen vital transport routes.