Bolivia at a 'breaking point', President Paz warns demonstrators

(Patria) - Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has warned that the country is at a "breaking point" after nearly a month of protests that have caused shortages of food, fuel, and life-saving medicines.

Paz, who is supported by the United States and took office six months ago amid a severe economic crisis, is struggling with a surge of anger over his center-right policies, AFP reports.

The political capital, La Paz, has been besieged by low-income workers and members of the majority indigenous population demanding his resignation.

"The country needs order and it is reaching a breaking point," the 58-year-old leader said at a public event in La Paz, renewing his call for dialogue.

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

Paz has so far emphasized the need for dialogue, but has not ruled out using "constitutional instruments" to end the blockade of La Paz, an allusion to declaring a state of emergency.

"Anyone who wants to destroy the nation will have to deal with this president and the full force of the Constitution," he said on Wednesday, assuring the police and army that they have public support.

His warnings came as thousands of indigenous women in traditional skirts marched through La Paz on Bolivia's Mother's Day, in support of striking transport workers.

The demonstrations began in early May with union demands for wage increases, a stable fuel supply, and healthier economic management.

But the protests later escalated into a full-blown rebellion. Over the past two weeks, La Paz has been turned into a battlefield, with police constantly clashing with demonstrators.

Paz has tried to quell the demonstrators' anger by saying he would halve his salary and give indigenous groups and labor unions more say in policymaking.

His government accuses former President Evo Morales, who is hiding from charges of trafficking a minor with whom he allegedly had a child, of orchestrating the unrest.