Bolivia detains ex‑minister Mauricio Medinaceli over ‘gasoline basura’ scandal

Mauricio Medinaceli gasoline scandal Bolivia defective fuel arrests

Former Hydrocarbons Minister Mauricio Medinaceli was arrested in La Paz and placed in preventive detention after prosecutors said he authorised the distribution of defective gasoline that damaged thousands of vehicles. Anti‑corruption prosecutor David Torrez led the investigation and presented 88 indicia to support the charges of breach of duties and anti‑economic conduct. The same operation also led to the arrest of former YPFB legal director Daniela Durán. The scandal prompted the dismissal of roughly 300 workers in the fuel‑distribution chain and compensation claims exceeding 20 million bolivianos for affected motorists.

Legislators such as deputy Lissa Claros and senator César Mentasti demanded that all individuals responsible be prosecuted, while opposition leader Samuel Doria Medina and the Central Obrera Departamental called for a broader inquiry beyond Medinaceli. Minister of Labour Williams Bascopé criticised the prosecution as selective and disproportionate, noting other cases received lighter treatment. The government labelled the incident a sabotage of fuel mixtures, intensifying political pressure over the ongoing fuel crisis.

Entities: Bolivia · Daniela Durán · David Torrez · Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé · Lissa Claros · Mauricio Medinaceli · Ministry of Hydrocarbons · Organization of Latin American Energy (OLADE) · Rodrigo Paz · Samuel Doria Medina · YPFB

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[○ 1 SOURCE] Opposition leader Samuel Doria Medina called for a broader investigation covering all parties involved in the gasoline case.
[● 2 SOURCES] Former YPFB legal director Daniela Durán was arrested for her alleged role in approving the fuel contracts. (arrest)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Officials described the incident as “gasolina basura” and labelled it a sabotage of fuel mixtures.
[● 3 SOURCES] Lawmakers, including deputy Lissa Claros and senator César Mentasti, demanded that all responsible parties be identified and prosecuted. (lawmakers)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Around 300 workers in the fuel‑distribution chain were dismissed following the scandal. (report)
[● 3 SOURCES] Anti‑corruption prosecutor David Torrez led the investigation and ordered Medinaceli’s arrest. (prosecutor)
[● 3 SOURCES] The defective gasoline caused damage to thousands of vehicles, including clogged injectors and engine failures. (damage report)
[● 5 SOURCES] Mauricio Medinaceli was arrested in La Paz on suspicion of authorising the distribution of defective gasoline. (ex‑minister of Hydrocarbons)
[● 2 SOURCES] Minister of Labour Williams Bascopé criticized the prosecution as selective and disproportionate compared with other cases. (minister statement)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Prosecutors said they possessed 88 indicia against Medinaceli. (prosecutor statement)