Bolivia is facing a severe political and social crisis, with a general strike called by the Central Operária Boliviana (COB), road blockades, and demands for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
This crisis fits into a broader regional context of increased U.S. activism:
- The U.S. launched the Shield of the Americas coalition in March 2026, with Bolivia's participation
- Paraguay signed the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with Washington
- Bolivia severed diplomatic relations with Colombia
- Venezuela is undergoing a post-Maduro transition; Cuba faces intense economic pressure and expanded sanctions
- Ecuador maintains reinforced security cooperation with the U.S.
Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia — the three largest countries in the region with left-wing governments — were excluded from the Shield of the Americas coalition. A growing U.S. alignment with right-wing governments in the region is observable.
The interaction between domestic institutional fragility and increased external geopolitical activism raises the risk of internationalizing domestic political disputes and repricing of Brazilian sovereign risk by international investors.