The UK Foreign Office has issued a travel warning after Bolivia declared a state of emergency on 21 June to restrict protests and roadblocks. The advisory, released on Sunday night, warns British nationals to avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and not to attempt to cross blockades.
Details of the State of Emergency
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared the state of emergency, giving the military powers to remove blockades that have disrupted food and fuel supplies. In a televised address early Saturday, Paz stated the measure is not to restrict lives but to restore freedom, as anti-government blockades have become an organized attempt to destabilize democracy.
The decree, lasting up to 90 days but potentially lifted earlier, prohibits blocking streets, avenues, roads, and highways affecting transportation and supplies. It also authorizes armed forces to support police in restoring order and reopening roads.
UK Foreign Office Advisory
The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to the department of La Paz, including the city of La Paz, and the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24. The advisory notes that protests and road blockades are ongoing across La Paz, Cochabamba, Oruro, Potosí, and Chuquisaca, with potential for rapid deterioration.
According to the Foreign Office, the state of emergency grants police and military powers to detain non-compliant individuals for up to eight hours without charge. Drinking alcohol or joining large gatherings in red zones is now prohibited. British nationals are urged to check local advice, stay alert, and keep away from blockades or protests.
Impact on Travel and Safety
Road blockades can disrupt public transport at very short notice, including routes to and from airports. The Foreign Office recommends checking road status updates from the Bolivian road authority. Any British national requiring urgent consular assistance should call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 or, in Bolivia with a local SIM, 2-2010020.
