British backpackers and other tourists have been caught in the midst of Bolivia's five‑week anti‑government protests, which have escalated into street battles with police. Explosions, tear‑gas canisters and road blockades have forced many visitors to abandon their itineraries or flee the country,while the UK Foreign Office now advises against all but essential travel to large parts of Bolivia, including the capital La Paz.

Five‑Week Protest Against President Rodrigo Paz Sparks Violence

Demonstrators have been demanding the resignation of US‑backed, centre‑right President Rodrigo Paz since early May, citing unpopular economic reforms and a perceived lack of response to public grievances.. According to the source, the protests have turned “explosive,” with fireworks, burning tyres and stones hurled at police, prompting a heavy security crackdown.

Foreign Office Issues Travel Warning for La Paz and Beyond

The UK Foreign Office now advises against all but essential travel to large swaths of Bolivia, explicitly naming La Paz as a high‑risk area. The warning follows reports of dynamite‑laden clashes and tear‑gas deployments that have left tourists fearing for their safety.

Tourists Describe Night‑Time Explosions and Road Blockades

James Brian, a civil engineer from Manchester, said he was jolted awake by explosions outside his hostel, while London native Emily Chen, 24, recounted fleeing the Witches’ Market after tear‑gas shells landed nearby . Both travelers ultimately crossed the border into Brazil to escape the unrest.

Tourism Industry Near Collapse as Transport Paralysed

Transport routes have been crippled by road blockades, leading to shortages of food and medicine and forcing the Bolivian government to declare a “humanitarian eemrgency.” The source notes that the crisis has nearly halted tourism, with visitors like Maria Gonzalez, an Argentine tourist, forced to stay holed up in hostels as ambulances are pelted with rocks.

Who Is Behind the Economic Crisis Fueling the Unrest?

The protests coincide with a deepening economic crisis that has triggered hyperinflation in La Paz ,though the source does not specify the exact drivers beyond the unpopular reforms of President Paz.. Analysts are still debating whether external debt pressures or domestic policy missteps are the primary catalyst.