Protesters clash amid rising polarisation over the 2025 elections

Introduction

Human rights defenders and journalists face growing threats

On 5th August 2024, the Documentation and Information Centre Bolivia (CEDIB) published a report detailing the serious challenges faced by human rights defenders in Bolivia, especially those advocating for freedom of expression, environmental rights, and indigenous rights. Despite Bolivia’s constitutional safeguards and stated commitment to international human rights standards, a significant gap remains between these frameworks and the realities defenders face.

Freedom of expression encounters mounting threats, as governmental control over public advertising effectively curtails independent media. Women journalists face additional, gender-specific harassment, often unaddressed by authorities, creating an environment of impunity. Indigenous rights defenders face compounded risks, stemming from both their advocacy and their marginalised position, exposing them to discrimination, stigmatisation and inadequate legal protections.

This precarious situation links closely to extractivist economic policies, which increase risks for those defending the environment, land and indigenous territories. These policies, prioritising natural resource extraction over human and environmental rights, exacerbate the vulnerabilities of those advocating for land and environmental protection.

Peaceful Assembly

Morales-led march intensifies tensions, sparks clashes

On 23rd September 2024, the “March to Save Bolivia,” led by former President Evo Morales, arrived in La Paz after a week-long journey from Caracollo, Oruro. Morales and thousands of his supporters, including miners, indigenous groups and farming communities, demanded solutions to the country’s economic crisis and pushed for Morales’ presidential candidacy in 2025, despite a constitutional prohibition.

The march sparked increased protests throughout La Paz department, with over 80 recorded demonstrations in September 2024, marking the highest count since ACLED began monitoring Bolivia in 2018. Although most protests proceeded peacefully, clashes between Morales and Arce supporters and confrontations with police were reported.

On 17th September, Arce supporters set up a roadblock to prevent the march from advancing, burning a doll representing Morales, while some demonstrators waited in the mountains for reinforcements to stop the march. Despite the resistance, Morales supporters, who outnumbered the counter-protesters, managed to advance after a tense exchange involving stone-throwing and tear gas. As a result, 26 protesters were injured, including journalists (see expression) and three police officers, one of whom was hospitalised.

On 22nd and 23rd September, as the march reached La Paz, counter-protests gathered in Plaza Murillo, near government buildings, calling for dialogue. The two groups’ encounter resulted in detonations of dynamite and stone-throwing by people targeting Arce’s supporters.

According to the Ministry of Interior, the march has left multiple conflict points in its wake, with over 87 people injured, 10 detained, and four vehicles damaged. Protestors destroyed infrastructure across four public and private sites, including public spaces, and looted television equipment. Minister of Interior Carlos Del Castillo described the situation as one marked by “violence and destruction," attributing the unrest to Morales’ campaign.

The protests reflect Bolivia's fractured political landscape, underscoring deep divisions within the ruling Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party.

Environmental protest in La Paz

On 11th September 2024, around 50 protesters attempted to enter Plaza Murillo, a restricted zone in the capital. They condemned the ongoing environmental crisis triggered by extensive forest fires, which activists attribute to “controlled burns” under current legislation. Convened mainly through social media, the protests targeted laws introduced in 2013 under former President Evo Morales. These laws permit agricultural expansion and land clearance practices, which, according to protesters, exacerbate environmental degradation.

Attempts to access the area led to confrontations with police, who responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd. Protesters expressed frustration at what they perceived as discriminatory treatment, noting that authorities had granted a pro-government rally, aligned with President Luis Arce, access to the same area the previous day. As a result, police detained environmental activist Juan Giacoman, who was released two days later without charge.

On 30th September 2024, the government issued a supreme decree declaring a national emergency in response to unprecedented wildfires. According to the Departmental Emergency Operations Committee (COED) of Santa Cruz, fires have already devastated seven million hectares in the department since January 2024, marking what officials describe as the “greatest environmental disaster Santa Cruz has ever faced.” This year’s affected area surpasses the national total of 5.3 million hectares lost in 2019.

Protesters in Potosí call for environmental safeguards against mining pollution

On 1st August 2024, residents from rural districts in Tupiza municipality, Potosí, marched to denounce alleged illegal gold extraction and export by mining companies along the San Juan del Oro River. Protesters highlighted the adverse effects of these mining operations on the river’s water quality and local biodiversity, as well as on public health. They urged the Administrative Jurisdictional Mining Authority (AJAM) to implement stronger regulatory measures to protect the environment and public well-being.

These mining activities, concentrated in the upper region of Tupiza, reportedly impact the entire watershed, extending to communities in neighbouring Tarija. Protesters criticised the lack of action from authorities and demanded more comprehensive oversight to mitigate these environmental and health risks.

Association

Criminalisation of community leaders

On 22nd October 2024, leaders of the Chiquiacá canton received formal charges from the Prosecutor’s Office for “obstruction of work” and “interference with official functions.” Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) filed the complaint, targeting 20 community members opposing the company’s planned entry into the Tariquía National Flora and Fauna Reserve for oil exploration.

YPFB’s legal representative, Marcos Carlos Navarro Morales, alleged that community members blocked access to the Domo Oso X3 exploratory site on 1st and 2nd October 2024. Despite YPFB and Petrobras personnel reportedly holding “appropriate authorisations”, Navarro claimed that community members prevented their entry, leading to logistical delays and economic losses. The complaint included a notice for a hearing within 24 hours of notification, warning of arrest in cases of non-appearance.

As previously reported by the CIVICUS Monitor, the Chiquiacá community has maintained ongoing mobilisations and a vigilant stance to block petroleum companies from accessing the reserve, with these efforts reportedly ongoing since at least May 2024.

The National Coordinating Committee for the Defence of Indigenous Peasant Territories and Protected Areas (CONTIOCAP) condemned the actions of YPFB and Petrobras, accusing the companies of using harassment, intimidation and inducements to gain community support for oil exploration. CONTIOCAP reports that these tactics, used between June and August, have created internal divisions, sparking conflicts even within families.

Bolivia is witnessing a rise in the criminalisation of human rights activists, particularly those advocating for environmental, land and labour rights. Data from the Observatory for Human Rights Defenders Unitas revealed 54 recorded incidents between January and September this year, including 27 targeting land and territory defenders. This marks a significant increase from 2023, which saw only 18 cases.

Seke Jahuira community harassed

On 9th September 2024, leaders from the Seke Jahuira community reported a surge in threats and intimidation following their public complaints about environmental contamination.

Community leader Emilia Chuquimia stated that she and others were confronted with physical threats, including people wielding sticks and firecrackers, particularly when tending livestock on communal lands. Statements from community members alleged that these intimidatory tactics silence opposition to ongoing mining operations and dissuade further environmental and rights advocacy within the community.

On 26th August, the Environmental and Risk Management Directorate of the Viacha Mayor’s Office released an official report identifying significant levels of cyanide in the Sarh aquifer, a primary water source for Seke Jahuira and surrounding communities. The contamination was initially confirmed in July 2024, prompting authorities to seal the aquifer operated by Empresa Procesadora de Minerales Jacha Kollo under Resolution AAPS 227/2024, issued by the Authority of Fiscalisation and Social Control of Potable Water and Sanitation (AAPS).

According to statements by community leaders, approximately 23 mining companies are currently operating in the area, utilising chemical extraction methods that have been directly linked to aquifer contamination. The community indicated that licences continue to be granted to mining enterprises without effective environmental oversight, raising concerns over the authorities’ commitment to protecting indigenous rights and the environment.

Death threats against Indigenous leader

On 18th August 2024, Brazilian landowner José Carvalho allegedly threatened ORCP, the cacique of the Ascención de Macoñó Indigenous community, with a firearm. The incident occurred as ORCP and two community members crossed part of Carvalho’s Tacuaral property to secure logistical support for a fire endangering nearby communities, including the Ascención de Macoñó and a neighbouring peasant settlement. The Tacuaral property lies within the Laguna Marfil Municipal Integrated Management Natural Area.

Expression

Journalists assaulted while covering protests

On 17th September 2024, during protests involving supporters of former President Evo Morales and current President Luis Arce (see peaceful assembly), clashes in Vila Vila led to violent assaults on two journalists. Protesters attacked Irene Torrez, a reporter from Cadena A in Oruro, beating her with sticks, kicking and shoving her as she covered the event. Protesters also compelled a journalist from SEO TV to halt his live broadcast.

In response, the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia (ANPB) and the Association of Journalists of La Paz (APLP) issued a joint statement, calling for respect and protection of freedoms of expression, press, and information.

This occurs amid increasing violence against journalists in the country. Civil society has reported at least 82 press freedom violations recorded between January and September 2024. The most frequent infringement involves restricted access to information, with 22 incidents, followed by threats and intimidation (16 cases) and physical or psychological aggression (12 cases). The main perpetrators of these violations include citizens (18 cases), the Prosecutor’s Office (10 cases), and the National Police (10 cases).

Detention and abduction of journalists

On 26th August 2024, two television teams were abducted for two days by groups identified as land occupiers and local community members resisting a police operation intended to reclaim private property in the Caranda community, Bella Vista municipality, Santa Cruz department.

According to the Monitoring Unit of the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia (ANPB), the affected journalists were Joel Orellana and driver Miguel Ángel Rivero from UNITEL and journalist Fabricio Escalante and driver Mauricio Sandóval from Red Uno.

Upon the arrival of police forces, community members gathered, set off fireworks, felled trees to block the dirt road and maintained a vigil that prevented the police, journalists and four officials from the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA) from returning to Santa Cruz de la Sierra. This blockage followed the deployment of over 200 police officers tasked with reclaiming 33 of the 128 hectares designated as the “Causal de Caranda” property.

While abducted, the journalists sought temporary shelter in the police camp, where they secured food from a local shop and prepared it with limited resources. Due to low temperatures dropping to 14°C overnight, they slept in rented vehicles used for transportation. The journalists reported being intimidated by community members, who allegedly sought to prevent them from recording footage and accused them of disseminating misleading information.

In a separate case, on 1st August 2024, police arbitrarily detained journalist Juan Pérez Munguía while he was photographing and filming outside the Central Bank of Bolivia. According to Munguía, police officers attempted to force him to delete his footage and sign a document admitting to an unspecified offence. Munguía refused these demands and two hours later was released.

In response, the Association of Journalists of La Paz (APLP) and ANPB issued a public statement, expressing concern over what they view as attempts by authorities to limit freedom of expression and press freedom in Bolivia. The associations underscored the importance of respecting journalistic freedoms and the rights of journalists to report without interference, in line with international standards.

Senate approved Public Information Access Bill

On 23rd October 2024, the Senate approved the Public Information Access Bill (No. 160/2023-2024) to uphold citizens’ right to access public information. The bill comprises 38 articles, with additional provisions and transitional clauses and now proceeds to the Chamber of Deputies for review.

Under Article 20, public institutions must respond to information requests within 15 working days, with a possible five-day extension upon justification and notification to the requester. This timeline applies from the moment the entity acknowledges the request, whether verbally, electronically, or in writing. The bill allows entities to deny or partially provide information but requires them to provide justification for such decisions.

The bill also establishes the Commission on Public Information and Documentation Access, operating under the functional authority of the Ombudsman’s Office. This Commission will handle citizen complaints and appeals related to unaddressed or inadequately fulfilled information requests.

Senator Silvia Salame of the Comunidad Ciudadana (CC) party introduced the bill, emphasising that it aligns with transparency frameworks from across Latin America. She noted that its development involved consultations with key stakeholders, including civil society, to ensure a robust approach to public access to information.

The bill arises from a decision by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in the Flores Bedregal et al. v. Bolivia, in which family members were denied information on the whereabouts of a relative’s remains.