# Bolivian economic and constitutional reform initiatives

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bolivian-economic-and-institutional-reform-initiatives
> Updated: 2026-08-17T21:45:32.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 4.

Bolivia has initiated a series of structural reforms aimed at attracting investment in strategic economic sectors, specifically within the gas, mining, and energy industries. The government's efforts began with a proposed overhaul of the Hydrocarbons Law to restructure the state oil company, YPFB, and introduce more flexible contractual models. This included a draft Investment Law designed to provide safeguards against nationalization or expropriation by requiring congressional approval and full compensation for affected parties. Building on these economic measures, President Rodrigo Paz announced a package of at least 12 proposed regulations to be presented to the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, including the Investment Law scheduled for presentation on August 11. To complement these economic shifts and address institutional transparency, the government is creating a High Commissioner for Institutional Integrity and Justice. This new authority, representing the Executive branch, is intended to monitor corruption and assist in broader judicial reform as the administration moves from economic stabilization toward profound structural changes. The reform agenda has sparked an intensifying debate regarding the Political Constitution of the State (CPE). Political leaders such as Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga and Samuel Doria Medina have suggested partial constitutional reforms to improve legal certainty and enable international arbitration for dispute resolution. In contrast, Cochabamba Mayor Manfred Reyes Villa has advocated for a transition toward a federal state. These proposals have caused divisions in Parliament; while some legislators argue reforms are necessary for legal security, others, including Senator Claudia Mallon and Deputy Catherine Pinto, have warned of potential instability and the risks of modifying the constitution during periods of high social conflict. The draft Investment Law submitted by the Paz administration is now facing significant criticism regarding its constitutional feasibility.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Bolivia constitutional reform debate intensifies

Bolivian political leaders are debating constitutional reforms to attract investment and improve legal certainty, sparking division in Parliament over economic models and the potential for federalism.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivian-leaders-propose-constitutional-reforms-and-federalism

### 2026-08-17: Bolivia investment law draft faces constitutional challenges

Bolivia's proposed investment law faces criticism for failing to address constitutional barriers to foreign investment and for potential corruption risks in its proposed administrative structure.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivia-investment-law-draft-faces-constitutional-challenges

### 2026-08-08: Bolivia announces Investment Law and anti-corruption commissioner

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz announced a new Investment Law and the creation of a High Commissioner for Integrity to combat corruption and drive structural state reforms.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivia-announces-investment-law-and-anti-corruption-commissioner

### 2026-07-29: Bolivia moves ahead with gas law overhaul and investment safeguards

Bolivia is fast‑tracking a Hydrocarbons Law to attract private gas investment and an Investment Law that mandates congressional approval and prompt compensation for any future nationalizations, curbing past ex‑

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivia-pushes-new-gas-sector-law-and-investment-safeguards

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Cite as: Bolivian economic and constitutional reform initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bolivian-economic-and-institutional-reform-initiatives