Mining Groups Clash with Police in Bolivia Protests Demanding President's Resignation

Violent clashes erupted in La Paz, Bolivia, on May 14, 2026, as mining groups and rural unions staged anti-government protests demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz. Demonstrators utilized small dynamite explosions and attempted to breach the presidential palace, prompting riot police to deploy tear gas. The unrest stems from Bolivia's severe economic crisis, characterized by soaring inflation, fuel shortages, and a collapse in natural gas exports, which has turned the nation into a net importer. Although President Paz, elected on a platform of economic reform, engaged in dialogue with miner representatives regarding fuel subsidies and agrarian laws, his administration firmly rejected calls for his resignation. The political turmoil also involves former President Evo Morales, who faces an arrest warrant for statutory rape and contempt of court. While government allies blame Morales for inciting the unrest, he denies these accusations, claiming he is being scapegoated. This event marks a significant escalation in weeks of road blockades and highlights the fragility of Paz's centre-right government amidst the country's worst economic downturn in decades.