Bolivia declares state of emergency, escalating a 50-day blockade crisis

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Bolivia has declared a state of emergency amid a 50-day blockade that has severely disrupted the economy and essential supplies. President Rodrigo Paz authorized military deployment nationwide following a deal with trade unions to end protests that caused shortages of food, medicine, and fuel in the capital.

Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz has declared a state of emergency, escalating a fifty-day blockade crisis that has ground the country's economy to a halt. The move clears the way for military deployment nationwide. It comes hours after Paz struck a deal with the country's main trade union federation to end protests that triggered shortages of food, medicine and fuel across the capital. Story by Charlotte Lam.