The Bolivian president has declared a state of emergency, plunging the South American nation into crisis. The British consulate is now advising all UK nationals to evacuate immediately.
The announcement came late Monday evening as protests and unrest escalated across multiple cities. President Luis Arce cited a breakdown in public order and the need to protect essential services. “We face a grave threat to our democracy and our people,” he said in a televised address.
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice, warning that consular support is severely limited. “British nationals should leave now by commercial means if safe to do so,” the advisory states. Flights out of La Paz and Santa Cruz are reportedly fully booked for days.
The emergency decree grants the military sweeping powers to maintain order. Reports indicate roadblocks, looting, and clashes with police in several regions. The crisis follows months of political infighting and economic turmoil, with inflation and shortages hitting ordinary families hard.
For British workers abroad, the situation is perilous. Expatriate communities fear being caught in the violence. “My family is terrified,” said one British oil worker based in Santa Cruz. “We just want to get home.”
The last state of emergency in Bolivia was in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, the trigger appears to be a dispute over fuel subsidies and mining rights. But for many, it feels like the same old story: instability that punishes the poor and the foreign worker alike.
The British consulate has set up a hotline for those needing assistance. But with limited resources, they urge people to act fast. “Do not wait for events to unfold,” the advice reads. “Leave now.”
