Bolivia's Riots: Where And Why?

Bolivia has a long history of political instability, with the most coups d'état in the world since 1950. The country was governed almost continuously by military regimes from 1964 to 1982, but has been a democracy ever since. However, in recent years, Bolivia has been rocked by protests and riots, largely fuelled by economic turmoil and a power struggle between former president Evo Morales and his successor, Luis Arce.

Riots in Bolivia's capital, La Paz

Bolivia's capital, La Paz, has been the site of several riots over the years.

2003 La Paz Riots

The 2003 La Paz riots, also known as "Black February", were a period of civil unrest that took place between February 12 and 13, 2003. The riots were sparked by the imposition of a progressive salary tax aimed at meeting the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) goal of reducing the country's fiscal deficit. The tax, dubbed the "impuestazo", mobilised various groups against the proposal, including business sectors, trade unions, and university students. The situation escalated when the National Police Corps mutinied against the government, leading to violent armed confrontations between the police and the Army. The official death toll was 31, with 268 injured.

1946 La Paz Riots

The 1946 La Paz riots were a series of violent strikes and protests that culminated in the lynching and hanging of then-President of Bolivia, Gualberto Villarroel, and the collapse of his government. The riots occurred between July 8 and 21, 1946, and were sparked by teachers' strikes demanding increased wages. The protests escalated as university students, organised labour workers, and civilians clashed with municipal police and armed, pro-government civilians.

2019 Bolivian Protests

The 2019 Bolivian protests, also known as the Pitita Revolution, took place from October 21, 2019, until late November of that year. The protests were in response to claims of electoral fraud in the 2019 general election, where incumbent Evo Morales won by just over 10%. While most demonstrations were peaceful, there were also acts of violence, with initial violence allegedly targeting opposition protesters. Morales resigned on November 10, 2019, and protests continued until the end of November, primarily by those seeking Morales' return.

2024 Protests

In 2024, protests in La Paz intensified due to the country's economic decline, with protesters demanding access to U.S. dollars. The protests were fuelled by surging prices, dollar scarcity, and fuel shortages. The political fight between President Luis Arce and former President Evo Morales has also contributed to the unrest, with the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party becoming splintered ahead of the 2025 elections.

Evo Morales' role in the riots

Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, has been at the centre of the country's political crisis and riots. Morales, a Bolivian politician, trade unionist, and former cocalero activist, served as the 65th president of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019. He is widely regarded as the country's first indigenous president, and his administration worked towards the implementation of left-wing policies, focusing on the legal protections and socioeconomic conditions of Bolivia's previously marginalized indigenous population.

In 2019, Morales ran for an unconstitutional third term as president. He won a contested vote marred by allegations of fraud, which sparked mass protests that caused 36 deaths and prompted Morales to resign and flee the country. However, Morales returned to Bolivia and launched a political comeback, finding that he had retained widespread support among the poor and indigenous Bolivians.

In September 2024, Morales led a protest march against his bitter political rival and current President Luis Arce, which turned violent as it was met with counter-protesters. The march, called the "March to Save Bolivia", was a 190-kilometer trek from Caracollo to La Paz, denouncing the Arce government. The protest turned violent as counter-protesters, armed with tear gas bombs, stones, and firecrackers, spread across the highway to confront the nearly 10,000 marchers. Some of them set a giant effigy of Morales on fire.

Morales and Arce are vying to lead Bolivia's long-dominant socialist party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), into the 2025 election. The power struggle between the two politicians has paralyzed the government and exacerbated the country's economic crisis, with Bolivia's foreign exchange reserves dwindling.

Luis Arce's presidency

Luis Arce, a Bolivian banker, economist, and politician, has served as the country's 67th president since 2020. A member of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), Arce previously served as the minister of finance, economy, and public finance from 2006 to 2017 and again in 2019.

Arce was born in La Paz, Bolivia, in 1963 and graduated as an economist from the University of Warwick. He began his career in banking and accounting at the Central Bank of Bolivia, which prompted President Evo Morales to appoint him as the minister of finance in 2006. During his tenure as Morales' longest-serving minister, Arce oversaw the nationalization of the country's hydrocarbons industry, the rapid expansion of GDP, and the reduction of poverty. His policies were credited with slashing Bolivia's poverty rate and facilitating economic growth fuelled by rising gas exports.

However, Arce's tenure was interrupted in 2017 when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had to seek treatment abroad. He recovered and was reappointed to his position in 2019 but soon faced social unrest and allegations of electoral fraud, which ultimately led to Morales' removal as president. During the interim government led by Jeanine Áñez, Arce sought asylum in Mexico and Argentina.

In the 2020 elections, Arce was chosen as the MAS presidential candidate and ran on a platform of moderating force, distancing himself from Morales. He won the election with 55% of the popular vote, bringing Bolivia back in line with its traditional position under Morales and away from the rightward shift under Áñez.

Arce's first year in office was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, and his government played a pivotal role in advocating for greater access to vaccines and medications for low-income countries. While he stabilized the economy, Arce's ability to drive growth was hampered by vaccine hesitancy, prolonging the pandemic's economic impact.

One of the biggest challenges for Arce's administration was the urgent need for judicial reform. He pledged to address this issue but faced delays on multiple occasions. Additionally, Arce's economic policies aimed to rectify what he viewed as erroneous decisions made by the transitional government, including the implementation of a wealth tax and the return of an IMF loan.

Arce's foreign policy was characterized by a realignment with traditional allies, such as Iran and Venezuela. He also sought to strengthen relations with countries like Cuba, Mexico, and Russia, particularly in the areas of public health and energy.

In June 2024, Arce faced an attempted coup led by General Juan José Zúñiga, which was swiftly defeated. Tensions continued to build ahead of the 2025 general elections, with leftist Morales planning to run against Arce, creating a rift within MAS and wider political uncertainty.

The role of the military

The Bolivian Armed Forces, comprising the Bolivian Army, Air Force, and Navy, are responsible for the country's external and internal defence. The Armed Forces are constituted by around 40,000 to 70,000 troops, with the Bolivian police force adding a further 40,000 troops. The roles and tenure of the High Command of the Armed Forces are outlined in the Organic Law of the Armed Forces (LOFA), which states that the hierarchy is subordinate to and appointed by the President of Bolivia, with the Minister of Defence acting as an intermediary.

Bolivia has a long history of military coups, with over 150 coups or attempted coups since independence in 1825. From 1964 to 1982, the country was governed almost continuously by military regimes. In 2024, General Juan José Zúñiga's storming of the presidential palace in La Paz brought back memories of these dark times. However, it was unclear whether this was a genuine coup attempt or a staged event by the government.

In 2019, the Bolivian Army declared that it would not oppose the Bolivian people as long as they sought a political solution to the country's problems. This came amid widespread protests and allegations of electoral fraud in the 2019 general election. Following weeks of unrest, the military, led by General Williams Kaliman, called on Morales to resign to restore peace and stability.

The Bolivian military has also been involved in maintaining order during periods of civil unrest. For example, in 2024, the head of the Bolivian military stated that the armed forces would provide help in keeping order after reports that the police had been overtaxed by weeks of unrest. However, the military's presence during these times has also been a source of tension and controversy. In 2019, videos emerged of Bolivian police cutting the Wiphala, the indigenous flag, off their uniforms, which sparked outrage and protests from indigenous groups.

The Bolivian Armed Forces play a significant role in the country's internal and external defence. While the country has a history of military coups, in recent times, the military has intervened during periods of civil unrest, sometimes at the request of the government, to maintain order and prevent violence.

The impact of the riots on Bolivia's economy

The 2019 Bolivian protests, also known as the Pitita Revolution, took place in response to claims of electoral fraud in the 2019 general election. The impact of these riots on Bolivia's economy was significant and far-reaching.

Firstly, the riots resulted in a period of political instability and uncertainty, which negatively affected investor confidence and economic growth. The outgoing president, Evo Morales, resigned amid allegations of electoral fraud, and an interim government was formed under Jeanine Áñez. This political turmoil led to a freeze in economic decision-making and policy implementation, as the country awaited the outcome of the political crisis.

Secondly, the riots disrupted normal economic activities, such as transportation, commerce, and tourism. Roads and highways were blocked by protesters, affecting the movement of goods and people. This disruption caused shortages of food, fuel, and other essential supplies, further exacerbating the economic situation.

Thirdly, the riots led to a decline in foreign investment and capital flight. Investors lost confidence in the country's political and economic stability, leading to a withdrawal of investments. This had a negative impact on Bolivia's ability to access capital and finance economic development projects.

Furthermore, the riots damaged Bolivia's international reputation and relations with other countries. This had economic repercussions, as Bolivia's trade relationships suffered, and the country became less attractive to foreign investors. The country's credit rating was also downgraded, making it more difficult and expensive to borrow money in the future.

Finally, the riots had a long-lasting impact on Bolivia's economic policies and governance. The interim government, led by Áñez, implemented economic policies that differed from those of the previous administration. These policy changes affected the country's fiscal and monetary policies, as well as its approach to trade and foreign investment.

In conclusion, the 2019 riots in Bolivia had a significant impact on the country's economy. The political instability, disruption to economic activities, capital flight, damaged international relations, and changes in economic policies all contributed to a decline in economic growth and development. The effects of the riots were felt in the short and long term, and the country continues to grapple with the economic consequences.

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