Bolivia's Paz declares state of emergency over blockade crisis, paving way to deploy military

<img align='right' src='https://images.jpost.com/image/upload/f_auto,fl_lossy/q_auto/c_fill,g_faces:center,h_3277,w_4916/726418' alt='Members of the "Ponchos Rojos" community wearing signs reading "Union Police" on their hats attend a meeting to discuss the future of protests ongoing for more than six weeks in Tilata, La Paz department, Bolivia, on June 18, 2026. (photo credit: AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images)' title='Members of the "Ponchos Rojos" community wearing signs reading "Union Police" on their hats attend a meeting to discuss the future of protests ongoing for more than six weeks in Tilata, La Paz department, Bolivia, on June 18, 2026. (photo credit: AIZAR RALDES / AFP via Getty Images)' /><br />Paz's declaration came in a live message to the nation just hours after he unveiled a deal struck on Friday with the main union, the Bolivian Workers’ Confederation (COB), aimed at easing tensions.<br />