Bolivians in La Paz demand action as road blockades enter 40th day

A council convened by Bolivia's Multisectoral Committee and Alliances gathered in La Paz on Tuesday to denounce ongoing road blockades and urge the government to take action as the disruptions entered their 40th day.

Footage shows demonstrators assembled in Plaza San Francisco, waving Bolivian flags while speakers addressed the crowd, calling for stronger government measures, including a state of emergency.

"To the president, I say: Rodrigo, you have the people's approval. Declare a state of emergency, damn it," said Ayrton Condorhuayra, president of the National Multisectoral Committee of Bolivia.

Condorhuayra added that one of the group's demands is the resignation of Vice President Edman Lara.

Protesters also called for the immediate arrest of former president Evo Morales, accusing him of being behind the demonstrations and road blockades that have disrupted transport and supplies in several regions of the country.

Citizens at the gathering blamed the blockades for shortages of food, medical supplies and other essentials.

"As a citizen of La Paz, we are also not willing to continue with these critical days. The state of emergency law must be decreed once and for all. We cannot continue with this lack of food, health supplies, oxygen," said Eva Oporto.

"Mothers, we have no bread, no milk. I speak for all the people who have nothing to eat, for the sick children who are dying. How much longer will we have to endure, Mr Paz? How far will your indifference go? Please, to all the authorities, step up," said another resident.

The demonstration occurred one day after Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz signed a law regulating states of emergency, which authorises military deployment to clear blocked transit routes, among other things, while reaffirming his intent to serve his full term through 2030.

Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo said the president and his cabinet had not yet set a date for a possible declaration of a state of emergency.

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