Bolivia extends state of emergency over risks of new blockades
Officials said the extension aims to prevent renewed blockades after shortages of food, fuel and medicine during more than 50 days of unrest.
- On Thursday, Bolivia's Assembly voted to extend the state of emergency for 90 days, citing persistent risks that demonstrators could mount new road blockades disrupting supplies and economic activity.
- President Rodrigo Paz originally decreed the 90-day state of emergency in June following more than 50 days of road blockades that caused shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
- Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo justified the extension citing police reports of "threats of renewed and coordinated blockades," while opposition lawmaker Gabriel Corvera warned the measure treats symptoms rather than underlying problems.
- Supporters of President Evo Morales protested in Cochabamba this month over the government's doubling of diesel prices, amid the country's worst economic crisis in 40 years.
- Bolivia committed to eliminating all fuel subsidies by January under an International Monetary Fund agreement for a $1.9 billion bailout, positioning the emergency extension as a buffer against anticipated unrest.
33 Articles
33 Articles
In Bolivia, the National Assembly has extended the state of emergency that has been in force since June.
The Assembly gave the president legal support after nearly two months of roadblocking
The Congress of Bolivia approved on Thursday, in public session, the 90-day extension of the state of exception decreed in June by President Rodrigo Paz, in view of the concern with a resumption of protests against the government in the midst of the persistent shortage of fuels and the economic crisis in the country.
Bolivia extends state of emergency over risks of new blockades
LA PAZ, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Bolivia's Assembly extended a state of emergency for 90 days on Thursday, citing persistent risks that demonstrators protesting the government's policies could mount new road blockades disrupting supplies and economic activity.
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