Bolivia began clearing anti-government roadblocks on Sunday that had isolated its capital, La Paz, and other major cities, following President Rodrigo Paz’s declaration of a state of emergency the previous day. The emergency measure was subsequently approved by a large majority in the country’s parliament.

The disruptions, led primarily by coca growers’ unions aligned with former President Evo Morales, have affected key roadways, particularly the highway connecting La Paz and Cochabamba. On Sunday, a light aircraft operated by the Bolivian Air Force, which had been conducting aerial patrols over the blockaded highway, crashed, resulting in the deaths of six people, including military officers. The Air Force has launched an investigative board to determine the cause of the crash.

While roadblocks have been lifted across much of Bolivia, some remain in place in parts of the Cochabamba region, notably in the Chapare area. This zone is a stronghold for Morales and his allied coca-growing unions. The government has accused Morales of inciting and financing the protests to destabilize the current administration and to avoid legal repercussions related to a judicial investigation. The probe concerns alleged abuse of a minor during Morales’s presidency from 2006 to 2019.

Morales has remained in Chapare since early 2024, refusing to appear before the courts. Despite security forces beginning operations to clear blockades on Saturday, they have not entered the Chapare region, where unions continue to control the roads. Authorities have also cited the presence of criminal groups linked to drug trafficking within the area.

Amid the ongoing tensions, one of the largest rural unions involved in organizing the blockades that severely disrupted La Paz on Saturday has called for a temporary halt to the protests. The union instructed demonstrators to withdraw until the following week, allowing time to evaluate the situation in light of the emergency decree. Meanwhile, the government maintains its stance to restore order and resolve the crisis through legal and security measures.