STORY: Scary pets, monsters, and even a figure dressed as Donald Trump spook the streets of La Paz on Saturday (October 31) to take part in a zombie walk, a tradition that has gained steam in the traditionally Catholic country.

Families, youth, children and pets marched in La Paz in scary costumes, following the tradition borrowed from Halloween, which participant Brenda Zabala said has become a custom.

Bolivia, a conservative country, marks All Saints’ Day and Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2. But in recent years the Andean country has adopted the global festivity of Halloween with parades and costumes with a local twist.

Day of the Dead is a celebration to honor and welcome back the spirits of deceased loved ones. It is primarily observed in Mexico and parts of Latin America, including Bolivia, Guatemala and El Salvador.

The tradition has two roots. One is Catholic, where All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are celebrated on November 1 and 2. The other comes from Indigenous Mesoamerican and Andean cultures.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (OCTOBER 31, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. INDIGENOUS WOMAN PUTTING ON A CATRINA MASK

2. VARIOUS OF A PERSON DRESSED AS DONALD TRUMP ARRIVING AT THE GATHERING POINT FOR THE ZOMBIE MARCH

3. VARIOUS OF A PERSON DRESSED AS DONALD TRUMP HANDING OUT SWEETS TO CHILDREN

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ZOMBIE WALK PARTICIPANT, REMBERTO CRUZ, SAYING:

“In this zombie march, we bring the demonstrations and the monsters. My costume represents the combination of both cultures, Bolivian and the Donald Trump mask. We also want to make small satires of politics, of cultures, and also of the poor employees who have to come back to life to work even on holidays.”

5. BAND STARTING TO MARCH

6. PARTICIPANTS MARCHING

7. VARIOUS OF A GIRL IN SCARY COSTUME TAKING PART IN THE ZOMBIE MARCH

8. VARIOUS A WOMAN IN COSTUME WITH HER PETS DRESSED UP AS SKELETONS

9. VARIOUS SHOTS OF PEOPLE IN SPOOKY COSTUMES PARTICIPATING IN PARADE

10. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) ZOMBIE WALK PARTICIPANT, BRENDA ZABALA, SAYING:

“I celebrate this culture in Bolivia. Although it comes from another country, I celebrate it because it has become a custom for children, young people, and even adults who are in costume, and I dressed up as a zombie.”

11. VARIOUS OF MUSICAL BAND PARADING

12. VARIOUS OF BOY PARADING

13. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE FILLING THE STREET WITH SPOOKY COSTUMES

14. (SOUNDBITE)( Spanish) ZOMBIE WALK PARTICIPANT, JHON JAIRO MAYTA, SAYING:

“I came dressed as a scarecrow. My parents helped me with the costume, and I won first prize in the zombie march.”

15. VARIOUS OF A PET DRESSED AS CHUCKY

16. VARIOUS OF A PARTICIPANT DRESSED AS AN OLD WOMAN

17. VARIOUS OF TWO MEN DRESSED AS HORROR MOVIE KILLERS