Miners Storm Bolivia’s Capital, Police Respond With Tear Gas Amid Deepening Crisis

Bolivia’s political and social unrest took a dramatic turn on Friday as violent clashes broke out in the administrative center of La Paz , where protesting miners set off small dynamite blasts while police responded with volleys of tear gas near the government palace . Sucre remains the constitutional capital of Bolivia .

The tense confrontation unfolded in downtown La Paz , where thousands of miners marched through the streets demanding urgent labour reforms , better fuel access, and stronger economic support. What began as an economic protest soon evolved into a fierce political demonstration, with angry crowds chanting slogans demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz .

Witnesses described scenes of panic and chaos as clouds of tear gas engulfed the city centre while loud explosions echoed through the narrow streets. Protesters attempted to push through security barricades surrounding key government buildings, prompting security forces to intensify crowd control measures.

The unrest marks the second consecutive week of nationwide protests that are steadily becoming one of the biggest challenges faced by the new administration. President Rodrigo Paz , who assumed office late last year after nearly two decades of one-party dominance in Bolivia, is now confronting growing public anger over economic distress and controversial policies.

Adding to the pressure, rural schoolteachers also marched through the capital earlier in the day demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. Their demonstrations further paralysed traffic and public movement across La Paz, turning the city into a focal point of nationwide frustration.

The protests were initially triggered by outrage among farmers over a law allowing land mortgaging , a move critics feared could threaten rural livelihoods. Although the government attempted to calm tensions by repealing the law through a presidential decree on Thursday night, the anger on the streets has shown little sign of fading.

Instead, the demonstrations appear to have broadened into a wider expression of dissatisfaction over inflation, shortages, unemployment, and governance . Road blockades, mass rallies, and strikes have disrupted normal life across several regions, raising concerns about deeper political instability in the Andean nation.

With tensions escalating and protests becoming increasingly aggressive, Bolivia now faces a crucial test as the government struggles to restore order while responding to mounting public demands.