The crisis in Bolivia, home to the world’s largest lithium reserves, is escalating after President Rodrigo Paz proposed sweeping emergency powers that could allow the military to intervene in ongoing protests. Already, over 90 road blockades have paralyzed transport, threatening global supplies of the metal essential for batteries and the energy transition.
Demonstrations and roadblocks have been ongoing for over a month. Farmer and leftist organizations accuse the government of pursuing neoliberal policies that benefit only the ruling elite. In response, President Paz presented a bill establishing a legal framework for joint police and military intervention during unrest.
The proposal comes just a week after the passage of Law 1732, which removed restrictions on the use of the armed forces during social demonstrations. Those restrictions had been put in place following the 2019 massacres in Sacamba and Senkata, where at least 21 protesters were killed and 180 wounded when security forces used live ammunition against supporters of former leftist president Evo Morales.
Global stakes in a salt flat
Even before the political escalation, the roadblocks significantly hampered lithium transport. But specialists warn of a deeper danger: confirmation that Bolivia is politically unstable. This perception could scare off planned foreign investments and push up lithium prices worldwide.
Bolivia holds more than 23 million tons of lithium resources, the largest on the planet. The Salar de Uyuni salt flat alone is one of its most prized deposits. Any disruption to its exploitation sends a shockwave through global supply chains for high-performance batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.
New legal tools and old wounds
President Paz, whose surname ironically means “peace” in Spanish, is pushing for tougher measures. Critics argue that Law 1732 and the new emergency bill threaten to repeat the violence of 2019. Human rights organizations have already voiced alarm.
– The government is creating a legal environment for repression – said Sofia Alvarez, an analyst at the Andean Observatory for Political Stability. – Every roadblock now becomes a potential flashpoint for military intervention. The lithium industry cannot function in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
International mining companies with stakes in Bolivian lithium projects are watching closely. Some have already delayed expansion plans, citing the deteriorating security situation. The price of lithium carbonate on global markets has climbed 12 percent in the past three weeks, according to industry data.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Sobrevolando Patagonia / Shutterstock
