Bolivian president warns country at ‘breaking point’ after weeks of anti-government protests

The US-backed Paz, who took office six months ago amid the worst economic crisis here in four decades, is battling a groundswell of fury over his center-right policies.

The political capital La Paz has been besieged by low-income workers and members of the majority Indigenous majority calling for his resignation.

On Tuesday, Congress lifted restrictions on him announcing a state of emergency, paving the way for Paz to possibly deploy troops to restore order.

The move comes as Bolivia enters its fourth consecutive week of protest marches and road blocking organized by groups affiliated with the Bolivian Workers' Central, which is the chief trade union federation in the country, as well as anti-government demonstrations by farmers, indigenous communities, miners, teachers and neighborhood associations.