Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz put two proposals on the table on Wednesday to soothe the country after weeks of protests and road blockades. He announced ministerial changes “to get closer to the people” and proposed forming a Social Economic Council that would include the mobilized actors and serve as a negotiating bridge between the state, productive sectors, and social movements. Hours earlier, his government told the Organization of American States (OAS) that the protests besieging La Paz, the city that hosts the seat of government, aim to “generate institutional destabilization.” Paz received shows of support. The strongest came from Washington, which warned it would not remain indifferent if street violence escalates. “We will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X on Wednesday.

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China has been unrivaled in the lithium market since it adopted a national policy of promoting the energy transition to reduce its dependence on imported fuels and guarantee its energy security. The so-called “white gold” is essential for the lucrative electric vehicle industry, dominated by the Asian giant, as it is used in battery manufacturing. Between 2021 and 2023, demand for lithium increased by 250%, according to data from the International Energy Agency. More than half of the world’s lithium reserves are concentrated in the so-called “lithium triangle,” between Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, which explains why China has set its sights on Latin America, with at least 28 projects linked to the lithium supply chain in five countries, including Mexico and Brazil.

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Bolivian Judge Carlos Oblitas declared former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) in contempt of court on Monday for failing to appear before the Tarija court where he is being tried for human trafficking, specifically for allegedly impregnating a 15-year-old girl while he was president. The court order includes an arrest warrant and a travel ban, as reported to the press by Supreme Court Justice Grover Mita. Morales’ legal team had already announced last week that their client would not appear, considering the case a “political persecution” and alleging irregularities in the criminal proceedings.

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