Bolivian leaders debate fiscal pact and resource distribution

Bolivian regional leaders are calling for significant changes to the national fiscal pact and the distribution of economic resources.

Manfred Reyes Villa, the mayor of Cochabamba, argued that any new 50-50 resource distribution scheme must include municipal governments due to their direct responsibility for essential services such as water, sanitation, education, and health. He proposed a model where municipalities receive 30% of resources, up from the current 20%, while departments receive 10% and universities maintain 5%.

In Potosí, former governor Omar Veliz demanded that the national government fulfill the 50-50 distribution proposal. He emphasized that Potosí is entitled to a greater share of the wealth generated by its natural resources and mining royalties to combat regional underdevelopment. Veliz urged authorities to prioritize the department's economic needs over political interests to ensure the return of resources generated by local production.