Rodrigo Paz

After several weeks of mass marches and road blockades, Bolivian workers succeeded in forcing the recently inaugurated neoliberal government of Rodrigo Paz to repeal the controversial Decree 5503, popularly known as the “gasolinazo,” which eliminated hydrocarbon subsidies in Bolivia. The measure promptly raised the prices of several products by as much as 162%. Initially, after several attempts at dialogue, the Paz administration refused to back down on its decision, despite the clear social discontent it had caused. Subsequently, workers called for a “national revolution”, which aimed to radicalize the struggle on all fronts.