Bolivia's Industry Chamber warns of $600 million losses amid nationwide blockades

The Cámara Nacional de Industrias (CNI) and regional industry chambers warned that blockades, fuel shortages and logistical failures have pushed Bolivia’s industrial sector into a state of alert. The CNI president, Gonzalo Morales, said the crisis is “one of the biggest of recent years” and reported losses that have already surpassed US$600 million, harming factories, tax revenue for health, education and infrastructure, and the livelihoods of thousands of families.

Representatives from food, beverage, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors described supply chains as “practically broken” and warned that disruptions could create shortages of food and medicines for chronic patients. The chamber demanded immediate government action and the removal of blockades to restore free transit and stabilize production.

Industry leaders described the situation as “intensive therapy” for the economy, with many plants operating at reduced capacity and some on the brink of shutdown.