In Bolivia, South America, anti-government movements are intensifying, with workers blocking major roads. Road blockades have severely worsened shortages of food and fuel in La Paz, the de facto capital, and are also disrupting the supply of medical oxygen, causing problems. While the former president is supporting the anti-government actions, the U.S. government is calling on neighboring countries to support the current administration, and tensions are spreading across borders, turning into a regional flashpoint.

The anti-government movement initially began as a collection of separate demands from workers in different sectors: wage hikes by labor unions, a stable fuel supply for farmers, and better working conditions for teachers. While the government entered wage negotiations to ease tensions, it also deployed security forces to clear the roadblocks and arrested nearly 60 workers. According to the government, due to the blockades, ambulances have been unable to transport patients to hospitals, and at least three people have died.

In response, the workers have also escalated their demands. They are calling on President Rodrigo Paz, a conservative who only took office in November 2025, to reverse austerity measures and tackle soaring prices, and are even demanding that he resign.

Amid rising tensions, the government has accused former President Evo Morales of supporting the road blockades and inciting workers. Morales argues that economic hardship and political persecution sparked the protests, writing on X that “as long as the structural problems of fuel, food, and inflation are not resolved, the protests will not stop,” in a post.

In early May, a court indicted Morales for contempt of court for failing to appear at a trial related to a human trafficking case. Morales himself denies any wrongdoing. Thousands of his supporters gathered and staged a protest.

Amid this situation, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau issued a statement supporting President Paz. He noted that Paz was elected through democratic procedures and declared that the anti-government actions constitute “a coup financed by an immoral collusion between politics and organized crime.” He also called on neighboring countries to back Paz.

However, South American countries are divided in their responses. Argentine President Javier Milei was the first to declare his support for Paz. By contrast, Colombian President Gustavo Petro has referred to the anti-government actions as a “popular uprising” and has indicated his intention to act as a mediator in pursuit of a peaceful solution, as he stated. The Bolivian government reacted strongly, ordering the expulsion of the Colombian ambassador to Bolivia, further deepening the rift between the two countries.

Learn more about past protests in Bolivia → “Bolivia: Protests over the abolition of fuel subsidies come to an end”

Learn more about politics in Bolivia → “Where is a wavering Bolivia headed?”

Demonstration in front of Bolivia’s Ministry of Education, May 2026 (Photo: N1ny4 t / Flickr [CC BY-SA 4.0])