Story perspectives

US Condemns Paz Blockades Cutting Oxygen, $50M Daily

5/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Rodrigo Paz faces road blockades that have sealed off La Paz and depleted hospital oxygen.
The United States and Latin American governments backed Paz, condemned the blockades and pledged humanitarian aid.
Authorities issued a terrorism arrest warrant for Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) secretary-general Mario Argollo and deployed police and military.
Business chambers report the blockades strand about 5,000 trucks, cost $50 million daily and fuel 14 % inflation in April.

History

Historical Context

In October 2003 the Bolivian Gas War erupted as the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB) and indigenous groups blocked roads, killing about 65 civilians and forcing President Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada to resign. The same COB-led truck blockade strategy reappeared in 2024 against President Rodrigo Paz, prompting the U.S. State Department and the IMF to label the actions terrorist.

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Story summary

President Rodrigo Paz faces road blockades that have sealed off La Paz and depleted hospital oxygen.
The United States and Latin American governments backed Paz, condemned the blockades and pledged humanitarian aid.
Authorities issued a terrorism arrest warrant for Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) secretary-general Mario Argollo and deployed police and military.
Business chambers report the blockades strand about 5,000 trucks, cost $50 million daily and fuel 14 % inflation in April.

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