Cabinet Formally Approves Decree 5707 Extending State of Exception; COB Calls It "an Attack on Democracy"

President Paz's cabinet formally approved Supreme Decree 5707 on Sept. 14, extending the state of exception in force since June 20 by 90 more days "while risk factors persist," Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano said, adding, "Esperamos que el Congreso apruebe este decreto para que podamos ampliar" the emergency measures. The decree moved beyond the Chamber's Sept. 10 committee recommendation to a formal executive act requiring the Legislative Assembly's absolute-majority approval before the original 90-day term lapses around Sept. 18-19. COB executive secretary Mario Argollo called an extension "un atentado a la democracia" ("an attack on democracy"), warning "no podemos vivir en una dictadura en un país democrático," while political blocs remained split — Súmate and a PDC faction signaled likely support, Libre said its vote would hinge on the government first justifying the measure's results.