Rodrigo Paz assumed Bolivia’s presidency in November 2025 after defeating a conservative rival in a runoff that ended two decades of MAS dominance. His centrist government has since confronted repeated challenges from Evo Morales-aligned groups, including a 50-day wave of roadblocks and protests in mid-2026 over fuel subsidy cuts, spending reductions, and perceived elite favoritism. Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency, authorized military clearance of blockades, and saw cabinet resignations amid the unrest; the crisis eased by late June, leaving him politically strengthened yet still facing coalition fractures. Subnational election results in March delivered only limited governorship gains, while ongoing economic contraction, IMF-backed reform negotiations, and congressional resistance to energy and mining overhauls continue to test legislative support. These pressures, alongside scheduled legislative debates and potential renewed street opposition, shape trader assessments of removal risks before year-end deadlines.