Santa Cruz Governor Juan Pablo Velasco sets five conditions for Bolivia's 2026 state budget
Bolivia's Santa Cruz governor, Juan Pablo Velasco, told the national government that the Libre senators will back the 2026 Reformulated General State Budget (PGE) only if five "non‑negotiable" demands are met. He wants the Ministry of Health to finance the vaccination bonus, the Ministry of Government to cover penitentiary pre‑expenses, and the Ministry of Education to pay for high‑school diploma issuance. Velasco also seeks to double the borrowing ceiling for sub‑national entities from 20 % to 40 % and raise the debt‑service limit from 200 % to 400 %, arguing this will enable major infrastructure work. He proposes that the 2027 budget begin a 50/50 tax co‑participation scheme, with technical proposals to be debated at a meeting on 5 August in Sucre involving the president and sub‑national leaders. The governor highlighted that Santa Cruz reduced its fiscal deficit by more than 55 % in just over two months, using it as a benchmark for the rest of the country.
Entities: Juan Pablo Velasco · Libre senators (Bolivia) · Ministry of Education (Bolivia) · Ministry of Government (Bolivia) · Ministry of Health (Bolivia)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] He called for the 2027 budget to start a 50/50 tax co‑participation scheme. (The governor)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Governor Juan Pablo Velasco demanded that the national government finance the vaccination bonus. (The governor)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Santa Cruz reduced its fiscal deficit by more than 55 % in just over two months of management. (The governor's office)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Libre senators will support the 2026 PGE Reformulado only if the five conditions are incorporated. (Governor Juan Pablo Velasco)
- [● 3 SOURCES] He demanded that the Ministry of Education finance the issuance of high‑school diplomas. (The governor)
- [● 3 SOURCES] A meeting to discuss technical proposals for the co‑participation scheme is scheduled for 5 August in Sucre with the president and sub‑national representatives. (The governor)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Velasco proposed raising the debt ceiling for sub‑national entities from 20 % to 40 % and the debt‑service limit from 200 % to 400 %. (The governor)
- [● 3 SOURCES] He demanded that the Ministry of Government cover the prediaries of penitentiary centers. (The governor)