AGP Executive Report

Bolivia Unrest Boils Over: Protests and blockades in La Paz have intensified again, with demonstrators using dynamite and reports of hospitals running short of oxygen, while markets and transport are hit hard. Political Pressure on Paz: President Rodrigo Paz says he will reshuffle his cabinet to be more inclusive and set up an “economic and social council,” but he refuses to negotiate with “vandals,” as calls for his resignation grow. Diplomatic Fallout: Bolivia and Colombia escalated their dispute by expelling each other’s ambassadors after Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro backed the protests as a “popular insurrection,” prompting accusations of interference. Regional Backing: The “Shield of the Americas” group urged protesters to stay peaceful and warned against any attempt to remove elected leaders by force. Ongoing Logistics/Trade: Separate from the unrest, a Bolivian sugar shipment (8,147 tonnes) moved via Chile’s Port of Arica toward the U.S., showing trade routes still functioning amid domestic turmoil.

Bolivia Crisis Deepens: Protests and road blockades around La Paz are now in their third week, with shortages of food, fuel and medicine hitting hard as unions, miners, transport workers and rural groups demand wage relief, stable gasoline and political change. US Backs Paz: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed support for President Rodrigo Paz’s “legitimate constitutional government,” warning against any attempt by “criminals and drug traffickers” to overthrow elected leaders. Diplomatic Fallout With Colombia: The unrest has spilled into diplomacy—Bolivia and Colombia have expelled each other’s ambassadors after Gustavo Petro called the rallies a “popular insurrection,” escalating a regional standoff. Regional Pressure for Calm: Trinidad and Tobago joined a wider “Shield of the Americas” call urging peaceful protest and respect for democratic institutions. Safety Warnings: Switzerland updated travel advice, warning access routes to La Paz are largely interrupted and urging people to avoid demonstrations. Maritime Alert: Separately, Iraq mobilized rescue teams after contact was lost with two Bolivia-flagged vessels in the Gulf.

Bolivia Crisis Escalates: President Rodrigo Paz announced a cabinet reshuffle and a new “economic and social council” after weeks of anti-government protests, roadblocks, and shortages that have pushed La Paz toward a siege. He also doubled down on refusing to “negotiate with vandals” amid reports of looting and arson. Diplomatic Fallout: Bolivia and Colombia went tit-for-tat by expelling each other’s ambassadors after Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro called the unrest a “popular insurrection,” while Bolivia accused him of interfering in internal politics. US and International Pressure: The U.S. warned against an attempted coup and backed Paz, while Switzerland updated travel advice, urging people to avoid demonstrations as access routes to La Paz are largely disrupted. Local Economy Signals: Amid the turmoil, Bolivia’s government is also pitching foreign investment and reshaping policy—while digital payments expand regionally, including Bitget Wallet’s QR crypto payments rollout into Bolivia.

Political Crisis Deepens: Anti-government protests have paralyzed La Paz for weeks, with shortages of fuel, food and medicine and fresh clashes reported as President Rodrigo Paz faces mounting calls to resign. Cabinet Shakeup: Paz says he will reorganize his cabinet to “listen” and create an economic and social council, after protesters demanded wage relief and stable supplies. Diplomatic Fallout with Colombia: Bolivia expelled Colombia’s ambassador after Gustavo Petro called the unrest a “popular insurrection,” escalating a regional standoff that the U.S. and some neighbors are backing Paz to resist. US Warns of Coup Attempt: U.S. officials describe an “ongoing coup d’état,” while Paz frames the unrest as destabilization. On-the-Ground Reality: Even small flashpoints—like fighting over a chicken—show how shortages are turning daily life into a pressure cooker. Regional Security Move: Chile invited Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Ecuador to a “Secure Border” summit on May 28 to coordinate action against organized crime.

Bolivia Crisis Deepens in La Paz: Anti-government protests and road blockades have left Bolivia’s administrative capital under siege, with markets emptied and hospital oxygen running low; the government says at least three people died after ambulances were blocked, while tear gas and clashes with police escalated as protesters hurled stones and explosives near Plaza Murillo. Diplomatic Fallout: Bolivia has asked Colombia’s ambassador to leave, citing sovereignty concerns after Colombian President Gustavo Petro called the unrest a “popular insurrection.” Church Calls for De-escalation: Catholic bishops urged dialogue and “humanitarian pauses,” warning that shortages and deaths are worsening amid the standoff. Business Signals Amid Turmoil: Telecom Sparkle and Entel Bolivia signed an MoU to commercialize a Peru-Brazil terrestrial corridor via Bolivia, aiming to cut latency for regional digital services. Finance Inclusion Spotlight: Accion marked 65 years of expanding access to responsible microfinance for low-income communities, as Bolivia’s unrest highlights how fragile credit and supply chains can become.

Protest Crackdown Escalates in La Paz: Bolivia’s government rejected a state of emergency Tuesday, but police and riot forces kept up pressure as unrest tied to President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation demands surged—over 127 arrests reported, tear gas used to block marches toward Plaza Murillo, and road blockades stretching beyond the capital into shortages of food, fuel, and oxygen. Diplomatic Friction: Colombia President Gustavo Petro’s comments calling Bolivia’s turmoil a “popular uprising” were publicly rejected by Paz, adding strain between the neighbors. Economic Pressure Point: The protests are driven by fuel instability, wage demands, and anger over land and privatization-related policies, with inflation cited around 14% in April and daily economic losses reported in the tens of millions. Church Calls for Pause: Bolivia’s Catholic bishops urged “humanitarian pauses” and dialogue as violence and shortages deepen.

Bolivia Protest Flashpoint: La Paz erupted again as thousands of miners, peasants, unions and indigenous groups tried to reach Plaza Murillo, clashing with riot police. Protesters threw dynamite and stones; police responded with tear gas, while the Army stayed on standby. Political Pressure: The demonstrations are now centered on demands for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation, amid fuel and food shortages and inflation around 14%—and the government says “armed groups” are moving into the march. Diplomatic Backdrop: The Catholic bishops urged “humanitarian pauses” and dialogue, warning blockades are worsening suffering. Security Claims: Former president Evo Morales supporters marched into the capital, while prosecutors moved to pursue union leader Mario Argollo over terrorism charges. Business/Trade Note: Separately, Luda Technology named authorized agents across Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador and Malaysia to expand its pipeline products network.

Bolivia Protests Escalate: Supporters of ex-president Evo Morales marched into La Paz again, widening unrest that has already choked roads and triggered shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies for nearly two weeks. Police Clash: Riot police used tear gas as demonstrators hurled stones and explosives, with authorities warning some groups moved toward weapons. Economic Grievances: The protests grew from strikes over austerity and living costs—fuel supply failures, wage demands, and anger over land and privatization plans—while the government has tried deals with miners and teachers. Humanitarian Push: Bolivia’s Catholic bishops urged “dialogue” and “humanitarian pauses,” saying ambulances and supplies have been blocked. Regional Pressure: The U.S. backed President Rodrigo Paz, while neighboring governments condemned efforts to destabilize Bolivia’s democratic order.

Bolivia Unrest Escalates: Bolivia’s government deployed about 3,500 troops and police to clear road blockades around La Paz, firing tear gas as protesters threw rocks and Molotovs; 57 people were detained and officials linked the chaos to at least three deaths from blocked access to hospitals. Regional Pressure: Mercosur and other Latin American governments warned against actions aimed at destabilizing Bolivia’s democratic order, while still flagging shortages of food, fuel, and essentials. Humanitarian Workarounds: With roads choked for weeks, the government has been flying in supplies and says it’s trying to open a “humanitarian corridor.” Political Context: The unrest is tied to an economic crisis and demands including wage hikes, fuel and work equipment, and calls for President Rodrigo Paz to step down. Tech & Business Elsewhere: In a separate signal of regional momentum, early-stage funding backed Bolivia-linked startups and private-market platforms, while global coverage also highlighted AI safety concerns for teens.

Bolivia Unrest Escalates: Security forces moved to reopen routes into La Paz, deploying about 3,500 troops and police to clear road blockades tied to the country’s deepening economic crisis; clashes left at least 57 detainees and reports of three deaths linked to blocked access to hospitals, while the government said it was creating a “humanitarian corridor” for food, oxygen, and medicine. Protest Pressure on the Government: The unrest follows weeks of fuel shortages, inflation, and anger at President Rodrigo Paz—with miners, teachers, Indigenous groups, and unions demanding fuel and work equipment, wage relief, and even the president’s resignation. Regional Humanitarian Support: Argentina’s President Javier Milei sent C-130 Hercules aircraft to reinforce the airlift supplying affected cities. Background Context: The crisis has roots in the collapse of Bolivia’s natural gas boom since 2022, leaving the country more dependent on imports and short on foreign currency.

Bolivia Protests Escalate: Bolivia’s government moved to clear roadblocks into La Paz with a large security operation, detaining 57 people after clashes with miners, Indigenous groups, teachers and other workers. Police and soldiers used tear gas as protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails, and officials said the goal was to reopen a humanitarian corridor for food, medicine and oxygen while blockades continued in multiple locations. Miner Deal, Wider Unrest: A miners’ deal was announced after talks, but other groups kept roads blocked, keeping pressure on President Rodrigo Paz amid fuel shortages and a deepening economic crisis. Regional Pressure: Neighboring countries publicly backed Paz and urged rejection of violence aimed at destabilizing the democratic order. Broader Context: The unrest follows weeks of nationwide stoppages tied to fuel, wages, and opposition to privatization—setting the stage for a volatile week for business and logistics around La Paz.

Roadblock Crackdown in La Paz: Bolivia’s government launched an early-morning operation to clear roads blocked by protesters heading into La Paz, deploying about 3,500 soldiers and police; authorities said 57 people were arrested and tear gas was used after clashes with schoolteachers, transport workers, Indigenous groups and others. Wage, Fuel, and Resignation Demands: Protesters say the center-right President Rodrigo Paz has failed to stabilize fuel supplies after ending long-running subsidies, and they’re also pushing for wage increases, an end to privatization, and Paz’s resignation. Miners Deal, Wider Disruption: The government struck a deal with protesting miners, but access routes into the capital remain blocked by other groups, keeping food, medicine and hospital supplies at risk. Indigenous Land Rights Win: Separately, Indigenous organizations forced the repeal of Land Privatization Law 1720, after a long march and sit-in aimed at protecting communal holdings and prior consultation. Global Context: The week also saw Bolivia’s unrest spill into travel warnings, as blockades and safety risks affect movement in and around La Paz.

Bolivia Unrest: Bolivia’s government struck a deal with protesting miners, but La Paz is still tense as other unions keep blockading roads into the capital. Street Violence: Reuters and AFP report tear gas, stone-throwing, and small explosions as miners march and demand fuel, work equipment, and easier access to explosives—while some protesters push for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation. Economic Pressure: The unrest is tied to the country’s worst downturn in decades, with fuel shortages, a US-dollar squeeze, and weaker energy production feeding inflation and daily shortages. Regional Ripples: In a separate humanitarian move, Paz thanked Argentina’s Javier Milei for sending two C-130 Hercules planes to help airlift food to La Paz and El Alto amid road blockades. What’s Next: The deal’s details weren’t released, and the wider strike posture suggests more disruption ahead.

Humanitarian Airlift: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz publicly thanked Argentina’s Javier Milei for sending two C-130 Hercules aircraft to help deliver food and basic goods to La Paz and El Alto, where road blockades by highland peasant unions have stretched to ten straight days. Protest Pressure: Even with a government deal reached with some miners, clashes and blockades continued around La Paz, with police using tear gas as demonstrators hurled stones and explosives toward the presidential area. Political Fallout: Miners and other unions are increasingly demanding Paz’s resignation amid a deepening economic crisis marked by fuel shortages and a dollar squeeze. Regional Context: The unrest is unfolding alongside broader labor and political tensions across the region, including reports of tightening immigration pressures affecting workforces in neighboring countries.

Bolivia Unrest Escalates: Explosions and dynamite-like blasts were heard in La Paz as miners tried to breach Plaza Murillo, with police firing tear gas and protesters pushing toward the presidential palace—fueling calls for President Rodrigo Paz to resign just six months into his term. Economic Crisis Pressure: The unrest is tied to a worsening dollar crunch, falling energy production, fuel shortages, and anger over subsidy cuts and contract/regulation demands in mining. Strike Momentum: The protests are now in their second week, with road blockades across major routes and broader participation from miners, farmers, teachers, and rural unions. IMF Talks Move Forward: Amid the turmoil, the IMF said it is ready to assess Bolivia’s potential financing request of up to $3.3bn, aimed at stabilizing foreign exchange and fiscal imbalances while protecting social spending. Regional Context: The week also highlighted how Latin America is increasingly looking beyond the dollar for financing as U.S. policy uncertainty rises.

Protest Escalation in La Paz: Bolivia’s nationwide general strike hit a new flashpoint as miners clashed with police in La Paz, with tear gas fired and small dynamite charges reported near Plaza Murillo while demonstrators tried to breach the presidential palace and some chanted for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation. Strike Pressure Builds: The walkout is now in its 11th straight day, with road blockades concentrated in La Paz department and growing participation from miners, rural unions, transporters and labor groups. Fuel and Dollar Crunch: The unrest is tied to worsening economic conditions—fuel shortages, supply problems, inflation, and a dollar liquidity squeeze—plus anger over fuel pricing and contract and mining-regulation demands. Policy Back-and-Forth: Authorities have negotiated on subsidies and social welfare and moved to repeal a controversial agrarian reform law, but protests kept spreading. IMF Watch: Separately, the IMF says it’s ready to assess Bolivia’s potential financing request of up to $3.3bn as talks continue over a stabilization plan.