Bolivian authorities announced plans to open humanitarian corridors on Saturday to allow the movement of essential supplies through ongoing road blockades in the La Paz department, according to government statements released Friday.
The operation, involving police and armed forces, will focus on the key route connecting the city of Oruro with the administrative capital of La Paz. Officials emphasized that the effort would remain peaceful and prioritize the transit of food, medicine, oxygen, and other critical goods.
Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo told reporters at a press conference that the Red Cross and Catholic Church are set to participate in the initiative. "The operation would be peaceful," Oviedo stated, highlighting the focus on humanitarian needs amid rising tensions.
Protests have gripped the Andean nation for weeks, beginning with strikes in early May and expanding into a broader movement that now includes labor unions, miners, transport workers, and rural groups. Demonstrators are calling on President Rodrigo Paz's centrist government to ease austerity measures and tackle increasing living costs, with some even demanding his resignation.
The unrest has drawn international attention, including concerns raised in Washington about the stability of the country. Blockades have disrupted daily life and supply chains across multiple regions, prompting the government's decision to intervene with designated corridors.
According to the announcement, the corridors aim to alleviate immediate shortages without escalating confrontations. The involvement of neutral organizations like the Red Cross is intended to ensure safe passage for humanitarian items while maintaining order along the affected roadways.
Local residents in La Paz have reported difficulties accessing basic necessities due to the prolonged demonstrations. Transport workers and miners have played prominent roles in sustaining the blockades, which have spread nationwide since their start in early May.
Government sources indicated that Saturday's operation represents a measured response to the crisis, balancing the need for public order with the urgent requirement to restore supply flows. No specific timeline was given for how long the corridors would remain active.
President Rodrigo Paz's administration has faced mounting pressure as living costs continue to climb, fueling the diverse coalition of protesters. The centrist government's austerity policies have become a central target of criticism from unions and rural organizations alike.
Reuters reported the details from La Paz, noting that the blockades have raised broader questions about economic policy and governance in Bolivia. The planned corridors mark the latest attempt to address the humanitarian fallout from the standoff.
Participants in the protests have voiced frustration over stalled negotiations, with some groups vowing to maintain pressure until their demands are met. Meanwhile, officials stressed that the Saturday action would avoid force wherever possible.
The Catholic Church and Red Cross are expected to monitor the corridors to facilitate the safe movement of goods. This collaboration underscores the government's effort to involve independent parties in de-escalating the situation.
As the weekend approaches, attention turns to whether the corridors will succeed in easing shortages or if further disruptions will follow. The nationwide protests show no immediate signs of abating, according to reports from the capital.