UK FCDO Updates Bolivia Travel Advice: State of Emergency Declared
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) updated its Bolivia travel advice on 22 September 2026, noting that a State of Emergency has been declared, giving police and armed forces powers to remove roadblocks, disrupt protests and detain those not complying with the new measures for up to 8 hours without charge. The FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 passing through Chapare. The advice warns against attempting to cross roadblocks, notes the situation could deteriorate without warning, and states travel insurance could be invalidated if travelling against F…
Impact and considerations
The State of Emergency grants security forces broader enforcement powers, and roadblocks and protests can disrupt road transport at short notice, affecting itineraries and personnel safety for companies with operations or staff movements in Bolivia.
Key points
- The FCDO updated its Bolivia travel advice on 22 September 2026, with the latest update covering information about the State of Emergency.
- A State of Emergency has been declared in Bolivia, giving police and armed forces powers to remove roadblocks, disrupt protests and detain those not complying with the new measures for up to 8 hours without charge.
- The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the Chapare region of Cochabamba Department, including Villa Tunari and highway routes 4 and 24 that pass through Chapare.
- Travellers are advised not to try to cross roadblocks, and the situation has the potential to deteriorate without warning.
- Travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate travel insurance.
- British nationals requiring urgent consular assistance can call +44 (0)20 7008 5000 and select the 'Consular services for British nationals' option; those using a local SIM can call 2-2010020.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 3 Jul 2026, 19:47
- Page published
- 12 Aug 2026, 14:22
- Last updated
- 21 Aug 2026, 17:53
- Original links
- FCDO Travel Advice：Bolivia travel advice (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 18 Mar 2013, 22:58