Military personnel patrol streets in Bolivia after declaration of state of emergency

Bolivia's crisis intensified this Saturday (20), when President Rodrigo Paz declared a state of emergency, expanding the military deployment to end the roadblocks that paralyzed the economy in the last 50 days.

In the center of Cochabamba, military personnel were guarding the Cala Cala bridge, while in La Paz the famous Plaza Murillo was empty and surrounded by military personnel during the night.

The emergency declaration gives the president broader constitutional tools to restore order, such as sending armed forces to end blockades. Although the order takes effect immediately, the president must notify Congress of the state of emergency within 24 hours of issuing the decree, which will then have up to 72 hours to approve or reject the measure.

Protest groups, many of them allied with former left-wing president Evo Morales, have blocked key roads, stranded trucks and obstructed supplies of food, fuel and medicine to many areas, including La Paz.

The conflict broke out after President Rodrigo Paz abruptly cut fuel subsidies to reduce the deficit, in a context of a worsening dollar crisis and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

The conflict broke out after President Rodrigo Paz abruptly cut fuel subsidies to reduce the deficit, in a context of a worsening dollar crisis and negotiations with the International Monetary Fund.

Find out who Rodrigo Paz Pereira, president of Bolivia, is

Source: CNN