This is a translation of a synthesis of three articles by Rafael Santos of the Partido Obrero (Workers’ Party) in Argentina, published on its website, Prensa Obrera on May 23, 2026. Its analyses are those of a Trotskyist current, with information and perspective that should be interesting to our readership.
Why are the Bolivian people protesting?
A general strike is happening in Bolivia. This means that the workers and peasants stopped working to protest against the government of President Rodrigo Paz.
The conflict began with two great marches on foot towards the city of La Paz:
- The march from Pando: In April, more than 3,000 peasants walked 650 kilometers (404 miles) from the north of the country against a land law.
- The march from Caracollo: In May, another great march went 190 kilometers (118 miles) under the slogan “March for Life.”
College students, miners and workers joined these marches. Everyone wants to get to the Plaza Murillo, where the government house is. In addition, protesters closed more than 50 roads across the country.
Reasons for the protest
Workers are demanding several important things:
- The peasants and the Land Law: They were protesting against Law 1,720. The peasants succeeded in getting Congress to annul the law, but they discovered a trap: the government announced that, within 60 days, it would draft a new law—one controlled by the wealthiest politicians in the agricultural sector (the large landowners).
- Teachers, workers, and miners: They are demanding a 20% salary increase. The government offered them a small bonus, but the teachers rejected it, deeming the amount insufficient. The miners are also protesting because the government intends to sell state-owned enterprises to private interests.
- The truck drivers: They protest that [gasoline] is expensive, it is missing in the pumps and above it is adulterated (mixed with bad liquids) that break the engines of their vehicles.
- The resignation of the president: President Rodrigo Paz won the election by promising that he would not make economic cuts, but when he assumed power he allied himself with right-wing politicians like Donald Trump and Javier Milei, he lowered taxes on the rich and made a strong adjustment against the people. So now they ask him to resign.
The Government’s Response: Violence and Promises
The government is using two ways to stop the strike:
- Force and police: Police use gas and violence to unblock the streets. There are about 130 people arrested and 4 people have already died from the clashes. The government prefers to give police a bonus of money to repress rather than raise the salary to teachers. In addition, it wants to put the leader of the union center, Mario Argollo, in prison.
- False promises: The president says he wants to have dialogue and change his ministers to calm the situation. But the workers don’t believe him.
The Unions’ Pact and Fear of Betrayal
To coordinate the struggle, Bolivia’s largest union (COB) signed a… “Non-Treason Pact” with the peasants and truck drivers to maintain unemployment indefinitely.
Why are they afraid of betrayal? Because at the end of last year the people conducted a big strike. On that occasion, the union leaders signed a secret agreement with the government behind the backs of the workers: the government promised to withdraw the cuts but then applied them the same. That is why the protesters are now demanding that no decision be taken without the approval of the rank-and-file.
The danger of intervention in other countries
The conflict in Bolivia is becoming a problem for all of Latin America:
- Government support: The right-wing governments of several countries support President Rodrigo Paz. The president of Argentina, Javier Milei, sent two military planes with supposed “humanitarian aid” to break the blockades that the people make. The United States also supports President Paz and accuses protesters of wanting to make a coup.
- The situation of Evo Morales: The peasants occupied an airport to prevent the army from arresting former president Evo Morales. They fear the United States is behind an operation to jail or kill him.
