Bolivia intervenes in YPFB and ANH to address fuel shortages

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has announced urgent measures to reform the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and the state-owned oil company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) to address fuel shortages and economic instability.

President Paz highlighted systemic failures in the distribution and commercialization of fuels, citing issues such as fuel smuggling and inefficient logistics. He also proposed a national debate regarding the use of public funds for fuel subsidies, suggesting these resources could be redirected toward health, education, and infrastructure.

Minister of Public Works Mauricio Zamora stated that the government's intervention in YPFB aims to transform the company from a mere commercial entity back into a producer and refiner of hydrocarbons. An intervention commission is currently evaluating the company's economic, financial, and logistical status. Initial findings have identified deficiencies in personnel management and a reliance on manual processes. Proposed corrective actions include process automation, personnel suspensions, and the restructuring of distribution procedures to ensure a stable energy supply for the country.