Bolivian president declares state of emergency after weeks of protests and roadblocks

The protests have been going on for at least six weeks and the demonstrators have demanded the president's resignation due, among other things, to a weak economy.

"After exhausting all possibilities for dialogue, reaching agreements with those whose demands were legitimate, and identifying those who used violence in an attempt to destabilize Bolivia, we have made the decision to declare a state of emergency throughout the national territory," said Rodrigo Paz in a televised speech.

Earlier on Saturday morning, Paz had reached an agreement with the country's largest union, Cob.

In early May, several roadblocks were set up outside major cities at the request of the Cob. The protests have been violent at times, with clashes between demonstrators and police.