Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz enacted on Monday a law allowing the government to declare a state of exception in critical situations, establishing a legal framework for emergency measures as massive protests and roadblocks continue to isolate major cities.
The law sets out the conditions, scope and limits of a state of exception, including the potential deployment of the armed forces and legal protections for military personnel involved in such operations.
However, no state of exception has been declared, and none of those measures have been implemented so far.
Bolivia has been under a state of emergency since late May, a measure imposed by Paz — who took office seven months ago — in an attempt to contain the protests that began at the start of that month.
The armed forces have been deployed to help disperse demonstrations led by unions, Indigenous organizations, and supporters of former president Evo Morales, who are demanding Paz’s resignation.
