Protests in Bolivia: Rodrigo Paz announces that he will reduce his salary and that of ministers by 50%, amid conflicts

“This president, together with his ministers, has made the decision, as part of the effort and commitment to the country, to reduce his salary by 50%.“said Paz during the commemoration of the 217 years of the libertarian feat of Sucre the constitutional capital of Bolivia and headquarters of the Judicial body in the south of the country.

Until before this decision, the Bolivian president received a salary of 24,978 bolivianos (3,617 dollars) and no other official can earn more than the president. With the reduction, the presidential remuneration will be around 12,489 bolivianos (1,808 dollars).

Paz mentioned that this decision will not affect “other areas or professionals“, since the intention is not “harm” to those workers, but to seek that “the best” remain in public service.

Some sectors currently protesting initially questioned the salary level of the president and parliamentarians, asking them to reduce their salaries by half as a sign of closeness to the population in the face of the economic crisis that the country has been experiencing since 2023.

However, that demand took a backseat and now the organizations that lead the protests and road blockades, such as the peasants of the highlands of Peacethe Bolivian Workers’ Center (COB) and followers of the former president Evo Morales (2006-2019), demand the resignation of the president.

Likewise, Paz announced that these days the Executive will present to Parliament the bill of “tax forgiveness” which, as he emphasized, “it’s not for the rich” but for sectors such as merchants, transporters and artisans, among others, so that they can “reactivate” its economy.

Paz indicated that the rule will favor those who, since 2017, have been accumulating fines in the tax system, so that they can use those resources to give a boost to their businesses.

The president attended the libertarian anniversary in Sucre, after spending the last few weeks in La Paz, headquarters of the Executive and Legislative, attending meetings with social sectors that have demands.

MORE INFORMATION: Evo Morales proposes elections in 90 days in Bolivia amid turbulent protests

The protests demanding Paz’s resignation have kept the department of La Paz isolated for 20 days and since last week, the blockades extended to other nine regions of Bolivia such as Oruro, Potosi, Cochabamba y Holy Cross.

Given the shortage in the cities of La Paz and The Highthe most affected by the crisis, the Government established some “air bridges” to bring food to those cities, to which is added the logistical support and donations offered by Argentina, Chile, USA y Peru.

Over the weekend, a new attempt by the Government to open a “humanitarian corridor” on a strategic highway between La Paz and the borders with Peru and Chile and connections with the south and center of Bolivian territory.