LatinNews Daily - 18 June 2026

*Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz has announced the start of dialogue with the umbrella workers’ union Central Obrera Boliviana (COB) as part of efforts to end the major protests which have been taking place since last month aimed at forcing Paz’s resignation. The protests have left more than ten people dead and caused US$2.5bn in economic losses on estimates released on 10 June by local private sector lobby Instituto Boliviano de Comercio Exterior (IBCE). The latest update released on 16 June by Bolivia’s ombudsman’s office registers 365 people arrested between 1 May and 2 June in relation to the protests, of which 247 have been released, and 103 have been charged, with the legal situation of the remaining 15 yet to be defined. President Paz’s announcement comes the day after the COB presented a list of eight demands which include: the right to protest, the lifting of rules which disproportionately restricts the right to protest, and the release of those arrested in relation to the protests; a commitment not to privatise state companies; and no fuel price rises and compensation for contaminated fuel (a complaint which had sparked the latest unrest), among other things. The list does not include the demand for Paz’s resignation.

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