Bolivia’s President Tries to Govern From Abroad, Testing the Constitution
Key Points
- Decree 5515 lets President Rodrigo Paz govern digitally while abroad, restricting Vice President Edmand Lara’s role.
- It comes amid a rupture and protests tied to an emergency economic package.
- The case shows how “remote governance” can reshape succession without a formal rewrite.
On December 29, 2025, President Rodrigo Paz signed Supreme Decree 5515. Published on December 31, it says Paz may keep exercising presidential powers while temporarily outside the country through digital channels.
The timing matters because Paz is expected to travel, including the World Economic Forum in Davos from January 19 to 23. Bolivia’s Constitution provides that the vice president assumes the presidency in cases of temporary absence or impediment of the president, but it does not specify a 90‑day limit for such temporary assumption. Critics say the decree echoes earlier power struggles in Bolivia, where executives have tested constitutional boundaries to sideline rivals—our reporting has shown how a 2020 decree restricting fundamental rights during the pandemic was struck down after similar objections that only parliament could authorize such measures.
Decree 5515 tries to stop that handover. Lara only gains room to act if Paz cannot access the system. Even then, Lara must follow a written mandate from Paz, with precise dates, listing which actions he may execute.
The decree also requires coordination with the minister of the presidency and gives the presidency ministry and AGETIC 10 days to set up the channels.
That scaffolding reflects a political breakdown. Paz and Lara took office on November 8, and the alliance unraveled quickly. Lara has leaned into short social-media videos, often on TikTok. Paz has answered with administrative counter-moves.
On November 18, he created a vice ministry for political and legislative coordination, shifting functions that once boosted the vice presidency.
The feud has spilled into security accusations. Deputy minister Ernesto Justiniano said Lara sought jobs for relatives and allies inside the anti-narcotics police unit, the FELCN.
Lara, a former police captain, replied by accusing Justiniano of taking money from criminal organizations. He has also clashed with Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo.
All this is unfolding as Supreme Decree 5503—an economic, financial, energy and social emergency package with more than 120 articles—establishes a temporary fuel pricing regime fixing final consumer prices for gasoline, diesel and other fuels.
Protests have run for ten days in La Paz. Lara encouraged demonstrations in a December 25 message while failing to repeal the decree from the legislature he presides over.
Related coverage: Brazil’s Morning Call | Trump Threatens Military Action If Iran Cracks Down On Prote This is part of The Rio Times’ daily coverage of Latin American affairs and financial news.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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