Bolivian Protests: Peaceful Or Violent?

Protests in Bolivia have been occurring since the 1952 Bolivian Revolution, with the most recent demonstrations taking place in 2020. The 2020 protests were largely anti-presidential demonstrations and pro-Morales unrest following the 2019 Bolivian political crisis, which ousted Evo Morales and his government. While the majority of the demonstrations were peaceful, there were also numerous acts of violence.

Violence and deaths during the 2019 protests

The 2019 Bolivian protests, also known as the Pitita Revolution, lasted from 21 October 2019 until late November. The protests were sparked by claims of electoral fraud in the 2019 general election, in which incumbent Evo Morales was declared the winner.

While the majority of the demonstrations were peaceful, there were also numerous acts of violence. Initial violence allegedly targeted opposition protesters. Pro-MAS supporters were reportedly bused into opposition areas, given weapons, and told to clear blockades, resulting in the death and injury of opposition protesters.

In the later weeks of the protests, senior members of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) and their families were victims of attacks, including vandalism and arson of their houses.

By 25 November 2019, the interim government had made agreements with most protest leaders to end blockades and began to withdraw troops and release arrested protesters. However, the violence during the 2019 Bolivian protests resulted in several deaths.

The government announced that at least two people had died in protests since 21 October, both in the town of Montero. On 7 November, the death toll rose to three as a 20-year-old student, Limbert Guzman, was killed during a confrontational protest.

In Sacaba, nine people were killed and over 100 injured during clashes between security forces and protesters. Demonstrators set off sticks of dynamite, while the police and armed forces tried to disperse them with tear gas, resulting in violence and raising the total death toll since 20 October to 23. A tenth demonstrator injured by gunfire during the protest died on 11 June 2020, after seven months with a bullet lodged in their head.

In addition to the deaths, there were also reports of injuries during the protests. In Hotel Real, there was a clash between opponents and supporters of Morales, and the police used tear gas against opposition groups, wounding dozens, including the rector of the Higher University of San Andrés (UMSA), Waldo Albarracín.

The role of the police and military

During the 2019 protests, the role of the police and military was initially to maintain order and prevent violence. However, as the protests escalated, there were reports of police and military personnel joining the protests and acting in apparent disobedience to the government. On November 9, 2019, local television channels and Reuters reporters witnessed police in several Bolivian cities marching alongside protesters and chanting anti-government slogans. This was a significant development, as it indicated a potential rift within the security forces and a lack of unity in supporting the government's position.

Following the resignation of President Evo Morales and the installation of an interim government led by Jeanine Áñez, the role of the police and military continued to be contentious. Pro-Morales demonstrations and unrest persisted, and there were clashes between pro-Morales protesters and the security forces. In November 2019, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over massacres by the new government in response to armed protests at Senakata and Sacaba. The interim government was accused of using excessive force and committing human rights violations.

In 2020, Bolivia experienced further mass anti-presidential demonstrations and pro-Morales unrest, with protests erupting over the delay of the general election and the ousting of Morales. Notably, during these protests, there were instances where the police did not intervene. This lack of intervention may have been a result of the complex political situation or a deliberate strategy to de-escalate tensions. However, it is important to note that the absence of police does not necessarily equate to peaceful protests, as violence can still occur between opposing groups.

In June 2024, an attempted military coup occurred in Bolivia, led by dissident officers of the Armed Forces, including General Juan José Zúñiga. This coup attempt resulted in a tense standoff between soldiers and police forces, who opposed the putsch. The coup plotters lacked widespread support and were met with bipartisan domestic and international condemnation. The police forces played a crucial role in resisting the coup attempt and protecting the democratic government.

In summary, the role of the police and military in Bolivia has been complex and dynamic, with instances of alleged human rights violations, disobedience, and political upheaval. The security forces have faced challenges in maintaining order during periods of civil unrest and have sometimes been accused of using excessive force. However, they have also played a crucial role in resisting coup attempts and protecting democratic institutions. The evolving political landscape in Bolivia has had a significant impact on the role and actions of the police and military.

The impact of COVID-19 on protests

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on protests in Bolivia, with the country experiencing a wave of demonstrations and civil unrest in the wake of the global health crisis.

Initially, the pandemic led to a postponement of the 2020 Bolivian general election, which was originally scheduled for May 3, 2020. This delay sparked protests from supporters of former President Evo Morales, who objected to the interim government of Jeanine Áñez. The protests turned violent, with Morales supporters clashing with security forces and opposition protesters. There were reports of vandalism, arson, and attacks on journalists. The interim government responded by deploying the military and issuing a decree granting them immunity from prosecution for any actions taken to quell the protests.

The pandemic also exacerbated existing political tensions in the country. Bolivia had been in a state of political crisis since the disputed 2019 general election, in which Morales was accused of electoral fraud. The delay of the 2020 election further inflamed tensions and led to a further erosion of trust in the government.

The health crisis itself also had a significant impact on the ability to protest. The pandemic placed a strain on the country's health system, with hospitals struggling to cope with the influx of COVID-19 patients. This led to concerns about the ability to safely carry out elections and large-scale protests. There were also reports of prisons being severely affected by COVID-19 outbreaks, with inmates protesting their living conditions and lack of medical care.

Additionally, the economic fallout from the pandemic likely contributed to the unrest. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in Latin America, and the pandemic worsened existing inequalities and economic hardships. This may have fueled discontent and led to more people joining the protests.

Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic had a complex and multifaceted impact on protests in Bolivia. It led to delays in elections, heightened political tensions, and made it more challenging for people to safely gather and express their grievances. The pandemic also exacerbated existing social and economic inequalities, providing further fuel for the demonstrations.

The role of the media

The media plays a crucial role in covering and bringing attention to social protests, and the situation in Bolivia is no exception. However, the media and journalists themselves became targets during the 2019 Bolivian protests, also known as the Pitita Revolution.

Several media outlets and journalists were attacked, and some had to suspend their work due to the insecure environment. Looting and fires at media facilities increased after Evo Morales' resignation on 10 November 2020. The Ombudsman's Office of the Plurinational State of Bolivia reported that the social protests had left three dead and over 430 injured, including eight journalists. Most of the attacks were committed by civil agents.

Some specific examples of media outlets affected include Unitel, a TV channel that was set on fire, and Red Uno de TV, which had to temporarily close its offices in La Paz and broadcast from Santa Cruz. Radio Exito's antenna was damaged in the attacks, and the newspaper Página Siete evacuated its staff on 10 November out of fear of an invasion, temporarily suspending circulation.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) stressed the importance of peaceful social protest for democracy and emphasised the need to protect individuals exercising their legitimate right to protest. They also rejected the excessive use of force by state officers and condemned acts of violence committed by private individuals during the demonstrations.

The IACHR further highlighted the role of the media and social communications experts in exercising social control of protests and adequately directing public debate. They stated that political leaders must use their platforms to discourage violence and promote intercultural understanding and respect for diversity.

Human rights violations

The 2019 Bolivian protests, also known as the Pitita Revolution, were largely peaceful, but there were also numerous acts of violence. The violence was initially targeted at opposition protesters, with Pro-MAS supporters being given weapons and told to clear blockades, resulting in death and injury. In later weeks, senior members of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) and their families were victims of attacks, including vandalism and arson of their houses.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concerns over massacres by the new government in response to armed protests at Senkata and Sacaba. The commissioner also raised concerns about the treatment of journalists during the protests, stating that there were "25 instances of alleged human rights violations, including an excessive use of force by the police, attacks on journalists, injuries, and burned buildings and vehicles (both private and publicly-owned)."

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) also condemned the excessive use of force by the police, stating that it had been used against journalists and social communications specialists. The IACHR also reported that violent groups on social media had threatened human rights defenders and media workers, violating their right to freedom of expression.

The Bolivian government, under both former interim president Jeanine Áñez and current president Luis Arce, has been accused of using an overly broad definition of "terrorism" in the prosecution of political opponents. There has also been a lack of accountability for the 37 killings that occurred during the 2019 election-related protests, including the deaths of 20 people in two massacres where witnesses claimed state forces opened fire on protesters.

In addition, women and girls in Bolivia remain at high risk of violence, and indigenous peoples continue to face barriers to exercising their right to free, prior, and informed consent regarding measures that may affect them.

Frequently asked questions