Bolivia: government considers state of siege due to road blocks and strengthens security in Santa Cruz

Bolivia considers declaring a state of siege to stop roadblocks, while tightening security on its border with Brazil after four killings in the Santa Cruz region. This was reported by the main local media, quoting presidential spokesperson José Luis Gálvez, according to whom the state of siege has not yet been activated.

President Rodrigo Paz's executive has also ordered a new 90-day extension of the state of exception, which will have to be examined by Parliament. The blockades are causing disruptions in supplies of food, fuel and oxygen, impacting transport and commercial activity. The protests are causing disruption in several areas of Bolivia. In San Ignacio de Velasco, near the Brazilian border, around 100 soldiers, special forces and drones were deployed after four murders which occurred between Sunday and Monday.