Indigenous-Led Protests in Bolivia Call for Resignation of Right-Wing President

Protests demanding the resignation of Rodrigo Paz, Bolivia's right-wing president who took office in November 2025, have been ongoing for a month. Since his inauguration, Paz has implemented austerity measures that have significantly increased poverty rates among rural and working-class populations. Kathryn Ledebur, director of the Andean Information Network based in Cochabamba, highlights how these actions starkly contrast with previous administrations under which Indigenous people and social movements enjoyed greater political inclusion and rights for nearly two decades.

Ledebur emphasizes the disconnect between Paz's campaign promises and his actual policies, noting that he has appointed a cabinet predominantly composed of white, upper-middle-class individuals, with only two women among them. This move has further alienated the broader population, who feel neglected by the government’s lack of genuine dialogue and empathy towards their daily struggles to feed their families.

The protests also draw attention to Paz's growing alignment with the U.S., particularly in areas related to anti-drug initiatives across Latin America. Critics argue that this partnership exacerbates tensions within Bolivia, as it reinforces a foreign policy agenda that may not align with local social and economic priorities.