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Bolivia's new defense minister pledges to clear roadblocks as protests drag on

By Reuters Reuters
Police officers detain a protester while dislodging community members who seized the Humberto Suarez oil facility to call for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, as ongoing protests have led to shortages of fuel and food, in Santa Rosa del Sara, Bolivia June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez
Police officers detain a protester while dislodging community members who seized the Humberto Suarez oil facility to call for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, as ongoing protests have led to shortages of fuel and food, in Santa Rosa del Sara, Bolivia June 3, 2026. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez Ipa Ibanez Reuters

LA PAZ - Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz on Wednesday named Ernesto Justiniano as defense minister, who promised to clear roadblocks following weeks of social unrest and mass protests that have blocked streets in major cities.

"The immediate task is to restore normalcy: passable roads, supplies, medical care, work and peace," Justiniano said.

The conflict began with a workers' strike in May that escalated into highway blockades which cut off access to the neighboring cities of La Paz and El Alto, which are home to some 2 million people.

Protesters, including labor unions and groups loyal to former leftist President Evo Morales, are demanding Paz's government roll back austerity measures and address rising living costs.

Paz said he had sent a bill to Congress authorizing joint police and military operations to clear roads.

(Reporting by Daniel Ramos; Editing by Kylie Madry)

Murillo Square stands largely empty with the Government Palace in the background, as Bolivia’s Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas and Education Minister Beatriz Garcia resigned after a month of anti-government protests, marking the highest-level departure yet under centrist President Rodrigo Paz who is himself facing calls to resign, in La Paz, Bolivia, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales
Murillo Square stands largely empty with the Government Palace in the background, as Bolivia’s Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas and Education Minister Beatriz Garcia resigned after a month of anti-government protests, marking the highest-level departure yet under centrist President Rodrigo Paz who is himself facing calls to resign, in La Paz, Bolivia, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales Claudia Morales Reuters
Police officers stand guard at a closed street leading to the government palace, as Bolivia’s Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas and Education Minister Beatriz Garcia resigned after a month of anti-government protests, marking the highest-level departure yet under centrist President Rodrigo Paz who is himself facing calls to resign,in La Paz, Bolivia, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales
Police officers stand guard at a closed street leading to the government palace, as Bolivia’s Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas and Education Minister Beatriz Garcia resigned after a month of anti-government protests, marking the highest-level departure yet under centrist President Rodrigo Paz who is himself facing calls to resign,in La Paz, Bolivia, June 2, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales Claudia Morales Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 11:39 AM.

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