Original article: Bolivia en tensión: 11 días de paro, 60 bloqueos y movimientos sociales exigen renuncia de Rodrigo Paz The indefinite general strike organized by the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) has now entered its 11th day of continuous mobilizations, demanding the immediate resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. This shutdown coincides with a surge of protests, with massive daily marches occurring in La Paz and 60 roadblocks highlighting the public outrage over the economic decline, political tension, and social discontent provoked by austerity measures implemented by the right-wing government. Labor and peasant organizations have reaffirmed their stance to continue pressure tactics until the government addresses their grievances, especially following failed negotiations involving over a hundred demands from 70 affiliated unions.
What began as sector-specific unrest has evolved into a governability crisis. Protesters are directing their anger towards President Paz’s administration, accusing it of systematic corruption and causing unsustainable increases in basic service costs. Initially focused on labor rights, the protests now demand one clear and powerful action: the immediate resignation of the President.
60 Roadblocks Across Bolivia According to reports from TeleSUR, the La Paz department houses 47 of the 60 reported roadblocks nationwide, according to the COB itself. The traffic disruption is escalating, currently impacting three of the nine departments across the country, with supplies of food, fuel, and medicine beginning to decline. Both mining and agricultural sectors have made it clear that they will continue their mobilizations and resist any efforts to dismantle their protests.
Factors Behind Popular Discontent Among the issues sparking protests is the purchase by the government and subsequent resale to citizens of low-quality fuel at double the previous price, resulting in mechanical damage to thousands of vehicles and an internal increase in transportation costs, impacting the entire production chain. The social outrage has also been fueled by the so-called “suitcase case,” which concerns irregularities linked to baggage that entered Bolivia from the United States. At the end of November 2025, former Congresswoman Laura Rojas arrived on a private flight from the USA carrying 32 bags that bypassed airport controls after presenting a diplomatic passport that had been annulled on the 13th of that month.
While various theories about the contents, such as money, controlled substances, or weapons, circulate, the case remains shrouded in secrecy, prompting opposition groups and unions to demand an independent investigation to clarify the circumstances. Police and Military Intervention to Clear Roads As the strike continues, police chief Mirco Socol announced plans to implement operations aimed at clearing roadblocks in conjunction with the Armed Forces, raising concerns about potential clashes with protesters entrenched at critical points. The Attorney General’s Office expressed its willingness to initiate immediate legal actions against those involved in these pressure tactics, labeling the blockades as an attempt at democratic destabilization.
This prompted labor leaders to assert that the only destabilizing factor is Paz’s continued presidency in Bolivia. For now, the situation remains tense, with the 11 days of strikes threatening to extend significantly due to the lack of willingness to engage in dialogue from the government.