Bolivia roadblocks across 8 departments strand nomads and tourists

Roadblocks paralyze intercity routes and squeeze airport access

Nationwide roadblocks across Bolivia continue to choke intercity highways and intermittently cut off vehicle access to El Alto / La Paz International Airport, the U.S. Embassy in La Paz warned in a May 28 security alert. Flights themselves are operating on normal schedules.

The blockades began in early May, organized by the Central Obrera Boliviana labor federation alongside teachers, miners, transport unions and Indigenous and peasant groups protesting subsidy cuts, wages and the cost of living. Roads are blocked across 8 of Bolivia's 9 departments, with no firm end date announced.

President Luis Arce has moved to loosen legal restrictions on declaring a state of emergency, a step that could allow broader troop deployments. Security forces have already cleared some routes by force and opened limited "humanitarian corridors" for supplies.

Who's caught in the disruption

Anyone moving between Bolivian cities is affected, including nomads, expats, tourists and locals. Overland crossings to Chile, Peru and Argentina have been intermittently shut, stranding buses and trucks at the borders.

Residents in La Paz and El Alto face shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies. Reuters and The New York Times reported deaths linked to patients unable to reach hospitals through the blockades.

Drivers who tried to push through roadblocks have reported assaults and vehicle damage, per the U.S. Embassy. Consular services at the embassy have paused on specific protest days, though phone-based emergency help remains available.

What travelers should do now

The embassy advises against all non-essential intercity road travel and recommends flying when repositioning inside the country. Travelers heading to the La Paz airport should leave hours earlier than normal and prepare for the possibility of an overnight stay near the terminal.

Practical steps from the alert:

• Carry ID and travel documents at all times and keep them accessible.
• Stock several days of cash, water, food and fuel in case of being trapped by a blockade.
• Monitor local news and social media for shifting blockade points; some travelers have only reached the airport during early-morning or late-night windows.
• don't attempt to force through a blockade.

Airlines are running normal schedules, so standard change fees and fare rules still apply to missed flights unless carriers issue specific waivers.

Read our full Bolivia guide for the complete picture and check ongoing visa updates for further alerts.