Bolivian Miners Paralyze Capital, Demand President's Resignation Amid Economic Crisis

Thousands of miners paralyzed the center of La Paz, Bolivia, on May 14, 2026, clashing with police in a massive demonstration demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. The protesters, marching from El Alto amidst explosions and gunpowder smells, confronted security forces with slingshots while police responded with tear gas. The miners cite urgent needs for fuel supplies, expanded mining areas, explosives, and access to US dollars, claiming their grievances have been ignored by the center-right government. This mobilization occurs against the backdrop of a severe economic crisis characterized by a foreign currency shortage and 14% annual inflation. The unrest has expanded beyond the mining sector, with the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) announcing a radicalization of demands, calling exclusively for the president's departure. Various other groups, including farmers, teachers, and transport employees, have joined the protests, blocking nearly all access roads to the administrative capital. The government faces widespread opposition as dialogue is deemed exhausted by union leaders, marking a significant escalation in political tension and social unrest within the country.