Bolivia investigates large diesel diversion in Santa Cruz

Bolivian authorities have launched investigations after a fuel tanker carrying about 25,000 liters of diesel deviated from its scheduled delivery to a station on the road to Cotoca and entered a private residence in the Santa Cruz department. The National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and police detected the irregularity through real‑time monitoring, sealed the truck and began legal proceedings.

In a related operation, three diesel tankers were seized and a driver and a station manager were arrested in the municipality of Cotoca. Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo said criminal groups may be behind the scheme, potentially to fund mining or drug trafficking. Two other drivers escaped, and investigators are seeking the station owner, believed to be in La Paz. The state oil company YPFB has pledged to increase supply to address ongoing diesel shortages.