Union participation hinges on formal legal withdrawal of arrest warrants against leaders, not merely verbal guarantees. A La Paz court annulled arrest warrants on May 29, but union leaders, including COB head Mario Argollo, demand complete dismissal of terrorism and public incitement charges stemming from protests that resulted in police clashes and looting of public and private offices. Argollo and other union officials face these charges following demonstrations that began May 6.
The mediating commission invited President Rodrigo Paz, COB, the Bartolina Sisa Confederation of Peasant Women, and the Tupac Katari Departmental Federation of Peasants of La Paz to the suspended dialogue. COB and peasant federations, along with supporters of former President Evo Morales, demand Paz’s resignation over alleged broken government promises and accusations of privatization plans, which authorities deny. The most radical factions aligned with Morales reject any negotiation and insist solely on Paz’s departure. Paz assumed office in November 2025.
Roadblocks initiated May 6 have spread from La Paz and El Alto to Oruro, Potosí, Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz regions. The blockades have created severe shortages of food, fuel, medicines, and medical oxygen, with food prices surging in affected areas. Health workers marched in La Paz on May 29 demanding a humanitarian pause to resupply hospitals. Mediators continue seeking such a pause to alleviate the 23-day blockade’s humanitarian impact, though no timeline for renewed dialogue has been established.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
