Bolivia faces severe fuel shortage and supply crisis

Bolivia is facing an intensifying fuel crisis characterized by severe shortages of diesel and gasoline, resulting in kilometer-long queues at service stations in major cities including La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz. The scarcity is impacting public transport, commerce, and the agro-productive sector, particularly during the winter harvest.

President Rodrigo Paz Pereira admitted the crisis is more severe than previously anticipated and apologized for the delay in resolving the issue. Paz attributed the shortage to a lack of investment in hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation by previous administrations. He also claimed the government is fighting against organized groups and mafias operating around the fuel supply.

In response to the instability, the Governor of Santa Cruz, Juan Pablo Velasco, announced plans to sign an agreement with an international private company to import and commercialize non-subsidized fuel at international prices. This initiative aims to secure the supply for the department's productive sector, though it requires a national government decree to allow private importation alongside state entities.