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Bolivia to open 'humanitarian corridors' on Saturday to move supplies through blockades

By Reuters Reuters
Bolivians hold an oversize flag of the department of Santa Cruz during a demonstration calling for an end to protest blockades that have contributed to shortages of food, medical supplies and fuel, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez
Bolivians hold an oversize flag of the department of Santa Cruz during a demonstration calling for an end to protest blockades that have contributed to shortages of food, medical supplies and fuel, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez Ipa Ibanez Reuters

LA PAZ - Bolivia police and armed forces will open "humanitarian corridors" on Saturday in the country's La Paz department in order for supplies to move past blockades, the government said on Friday.

Tensions have been high in Bolivia for weeks as protests that began with strikes in early May have grown into a nationwide movement involving labour unions, miners, transport workers and rural groups, raising concerns in Washington.

Protesters are pressing President Rodrigo Paz's centrist government to roll back austerity measures and address rising living costs, with some calling for his resignation.

Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo told a press conference that the operation would be peaceful, and would focus on the road that connects the city of Oruro with the administrative capital La Paz, allowing the transit of food, medicine, oxygen and other goods.

The Red Cross and Catholic Church are set to participate, he added.

(Reporting by Daniel Ramos, Writing by Daina Beth Solomon)

Demonstrators hold a sign reading 'No to MAS, yes to democracy', referring to the political party Movement for Socialism, during a march calling for an end to protest blockades that have contributed to shortages of food, medical supplies and fuel, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez
Demonstrators hold a sign reading 'No to MAS, yes to democracy', referring to the political party Movement for Socialism, during a march calling for an end to protest blockades that have contributed to shortages of food, medical supplies and fuel, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia May 21, 2026. REUTERS/Ipa Ibanez Ipa Ibanez Reuters
Demonstrators run during a march calling for the resignation of Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz, as the country's economic and fuel crisis worsens due to a shortage of U.S. dollars and falling domestic energy production, in La Paz, Bolivia May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales
Demonstrators run during a march calling for the resignation of Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz, as the country's economic and fuel crisis worsens due to a shortage of U.S. dollars and falling domestic energy production, in La Paz, Bolivia May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales Claudia Morales Reuters
Demonstrators clash with police on the day of a march calling for the resignation of Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz, as the country's economic and fuel crisis worsens due to a shortage of U.S. dollars and falling domestic energy production, in La Paz, Bolivia May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales
Demonstrators clash with police on the day of a march calling for the resignation of Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz, as the country's economic and fuel crisis worsens due to a shortage of U.S. dollars and falling domestic energy production, in La Paz, Bolivia May 22, 2026. REUTERS/Claudia Morales Claudia Morales Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published May 22, 2026 at 6:39 PM.

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