Bolivia deploys police to protect LPG distribution from smuggling

The Bolivian government has launched a specialized operation to distribute 45,000 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders in La Paz and El Alto. To prevent illegal diversion and smuggling, trucks departing from the Senkata plant are being escorted by police patrols.

Authorities, including YPFB and the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), stated that the measure aims to ensure products reach consumers directly and combat speculation. Police Commander Ricardo Terrazas reported that recent monitoring identified over 500 cylinders intended for diversion to neighboring countries, including Peru.

Government officials have also highlighted the presence of organized crime mafias involved in fuel diversion, noting complicity among some public officials within YPFB and the ANH. Recent enforcement actions have resulted in the seizure of 659 LPG cylinders and over 14,000 liters of gasoline. The crackdown follows local protests regarding supply shortages and seeks to address the significant price gap between Bolivia’s subsidized domestic rate and higher prices in neighboring markets.