President Rodrigo Paz faces widespread protests and calls for resignation amid Bolivia’s worst economic crisis in decades. Paz said he will reorganize his cabinet to ease tensions with anti-government protesters and ensure ministers can listen. Since taking office in November, his government has faced backlash to economic restructuring measures, including controversial cuts to fuel subsidies. Thousands of farmers, laborers, miners, and teachers have denounced free-market reforms. Riot police clashed with protesters in La Paz, and the government has portrayed the protests as dangerous and anti-democratic. Foreign Affairs Minister Fernando Aramayo said protests and roadblocks aim to destabilize the country and disrupt the democratic order. Former President Evo Morales has supported the demonstrations, while the Paz government accuses him of fomenting unrest.
"Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz is under pressure from protests against his government and poor economic conditions. Bolivia's right-wing President Rodrigo Paz has said he will reorganise his cabinet as he faces calls to resign amid weeks of widespread protests. During a news conference on Wednesday, Paz said he would reshuffle his ministers in a bid to ease tensions with anti-government protesters."
"We need to reorganise a cabinet that must be able to listen, Paz told reporters. Since taking office in November, Paz and his government have faced backlash to economic restructuring measures, including controversial cuts to fuel subsidies. The country is in one of its worst economic crises in decades. Protesters have taken to the streets to express frustration with Paz's free-market reforms."
"His government has depicted the protests as dangerous and anti-democratic. Minister of Foreign Affairs Fernando Aramayo said earlier in the day that the mass protests and roadblocks were aimed at destabilising the country and disrupting the democratic order. Riot police clashed with protesters again in the capital, La Paz, earlier this week."
"Former leftist President Evo Morales, who continues to exert influence over the country's politics, has expressed support for the demonstrations. The Paz government, meanwhile, has accused Morales of fomenting unrest. The former socialist president faces charges of statutory rape and has an arrest warrant out against him. His allies, however, say the charges are part of an effort to remove him from political life."
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