Bolivia and Chile explore biofuel alternatives amid fuel dependency

In Bolivia, Demetrio Pérez, former president of the Association of Oilseed and Wheat Producers (ANAPO), has called for an urgent transformation of the national energy matrix. Citing a diesel crisis that has severely impacted the agricultural sector, particularly small and medium-sized producers, Pérez argues that the country must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels by accelerating the development of ethanol, biodiesel, biomass, and other renewable sources.

In Chile, the debate over fuel alternatives has intensified following discussions regarding the potential use of E10 gasoline, a blend of 90% gasoline and 10% ethanol. While the Chilean Ministry of Energy discarded reports that the government was moving forward with this specific measure, the topic has highlighted the need to reduce petroleum dependency. Currently, 85% of Chile's oil is sourced from the United States, whereas ethanol is primarily imported from Argentina and Bolivia.