In today’s news and commentary, the Bolivian government declares a state of emergency in response to union-led protests, and hotel workers in Philadelphia strike amidst World Cup celebrations.

On Friday, Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz declared a 90-day state of emergency in response to a months-long conflict with labor unions and other left-wing opponents of the government. The declaration allows Paz to deploy a wide range of military personnel to clear roadblocks and curb the right to protest. The protests, led by a coalition of trade unions, coca farmers, and indigenous groups, seek to prevent the Bolivian government from imposing austerity measures such as land reforms and the elimination of fuel subsidies. While Paz has scrapped a number of more controversial policies and recently signed an agreement with the Bolivian Workers’ Confederation, many other unions and indigenous groups remain committed to the action. This includes groups aligned with former President Evo Morales, whose Movement for Socialism (MAS) party held power in Bolivia for roughly two decades before Paz’s victory in 2025. 

While the government has removed many of the highway and road barriers creating widespread food and fuel shortages in major Bolivian cities, blockades remain prevalent in pro-Morales rural areas. The Trump Administration has been outspoken in its support of President Paz, with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warning protesters that “the United States is watching.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio also recently announced that the United States was “ramping up emergency assistance and logistics operations support” to the Paz administration.

Hotel workers in Philadelphia began a strike this morning amidst an influx of World Cup tourists. The workers, represented by UNITE HERE Local 274 and employed at Sheraton Philadelphia Downtown, are responsible for housekeeping, food preparation, and custodial work. The strike comes after hotel management refused to raise wages and benefits to the standard agreed upon by five other hotels in Center City. The dispute will disrupt the travel plans of many international tourists visiting Philadelphia for the World Cup; upcoming games in the city include France vs. Iraq on Monday, Curaçao vs. Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday, and Croatia vs. Ghana on Saturday. While the Sheraton is currently the only hotel on strike in downtown Philadelphia, Local 274 reports that three other hotels are “at risk” of a labor dispute.