In a move set to intensify the government’s response to ongoing unrest, Bolivia’s legislature has approved a law granting President Rodrigo Paz the authority to deploy military troops to dismantle roadblocks established by protesters. This legislative decision, reported by JURIST, arrives as nationwide anti-government demonstrations enter their fifth week.
The legislation, adopted by the Chamber of Deputies after a prolonged debate, provides a legal framework for declaring emergencies, permitting armed forces to clear roads and ensure the flow of essentials like food, fuel, and medical supplies. However, before any military deployment occurs, Paz must issue a specific executive declaration identifying the crisis areas and setting timeframes for the emergency measures.
This measure builds on an earlier law signed on May 27, which eased restrictions on military involvement in domestic disturbances. Combined, these laws significantly broaden the government’s power to mobilize military forces against protesters. The protests initiated as labor strikes in May but have expanded to include diverse groups such as miners, teachers, transport workers, rural organizations, and Indigenous communities, all voicing discontent over government austerity measures and rising costs.
President Paz, in office since November, advocates that his economic policies are crucial for Bolivia’s economic stability. Nonetheless, Reuters highlights concerns from critics that deploying soldiers against civilian demonstrations might escalate violence. Human-rights groups and opposition lawmakers caution about the military’s capability to manage civilian gatherings without inciting greater conflict, noting issues related to accountability for potential abuses.
Supporters contend that the state bears responsibility for safeguarding citizens unable to access essential services due to roadblocks, while protest leaders argue that the government’s approach mischaracterizes a political and economic crisis as a security issue.
The effectiveness of this new legislation depends on President Paz’s subsequent actions, notably whether he will invoke his powers and the manner of their application. Any decision to deploy the military will be a test of the law’s ability to reopen routes and maintain order while allowing space for dialogue and potential resolution of the broader grievances precipitating the protests.